Be careful with your tongue -it's in a wet place and can easily slip.

1. Be careful with your tongue -it's in a wet place and can easily slip.

2. Word are important. God created the universe with words. He spoke and it was so. Our Lord Jesus was called THE WORD. People were healed and brought back to life with the simple use of words (Lazarus). Lives were blessed and destinies determined through the spoken word (Jacob and Esau). Today, we are called to bear witness about Jesus Christ through both written and spoken words. Words are important. As Christians we are called to use our words always for good. (Colossians 4:6)

3. Do you have any idea how many words you use in the course of an ordinary day? Have you ever read any books by Tom Clancy--“Hunt for Red October,” “Clear and Present • Danger,” “The Sum of All • Fears.” His works are • always very thick, about • 500-700 pages containing • 1/2 million to 3/4 million • words.

4. According to researchers, each person here will open his mouth an average of 700 times in a day. In those 700 times, you will use an average of 18,000 words. Those 18,000 words would translate to about 54 printed pages. That means that in one year, an average person would fill • 66 books of 800 pages each. • No wonder Jesus said, • “By your words you will be • condemned and by your words • you will be justified.”

5. Aesop, the ancient storyteller, told this fable: Once upon a time, a donkey found a lion's skin. He tried it on, strutted around, and frightened many animals. Soon a fox came along, and the donkey tried to scare him, too.

6. But the fox, hearing the donkey's voice, said, "If you want to terrify me, you'll have to disguise your bray." Aesop's moral: Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away.

7. In other words: "It is better to keep your mouth closed and have people think you are a fool, than to open it and remove any doubts!"

8. Think Before You Speak • Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech • Silence can be beautiful; don't break it unless you can improve it.

10. Proverbs 17:27-28 (NLT) • 27 A truly wise person uses few words;    a person with understanding is even- • tempered. • 28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep • silent; with their mouths shut, they seem • intelligent. • Proverbs 21:23 (NLT) • 23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth • shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

11. How many times have • we opened our mouth • right away only to put • our foot in it? Like the • guy who saw his wife • in huge curlers and • asked, “What • happened to your hair?” • She replied “I set it,” • and his response was, • “when does it go off?”

12. T.H.I.N.K. • Before-You-Speak • The wise person hears and is heard because he knows both when to talk and when to remain silent. And he has a way of speaking even when he says nothing. There is wisdom in talking less in order to say more.

14. T-True • Is it True? • Remember this rule about gossip: “The more interesting it is, the more likely it is to be false.” • I am responsible for what I pass along just the same as if I had originated it! • Chuck Swindoll recommends asking, “Can I quote you on that?”

15. During a trial, in a small Missouri town, the local prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand. The witness was a proper well-dressed elderly lady, the Grandmother type, well spoken, and poised. She was sworn in, asked if she would tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, on the Bible, so help her God. • The prosecuting attorney approached the woman and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know me?’” She responded, “Why, yes I do know you, • Mr. Williams. I’ve known you • since you were a young boy • and frankly, you’ve been a • big disappointment to me. • You lie, cheat on your wife, • manipulate people and talk • badly about them behind their • backs. You think you’re a rising • big shot when you haven’t the • sense to realize you never will • amount to anything more than a • two-bit paper-pushing shyster. • Yes, I know you quite well.”

16. The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?”She again replied, “Why, yes, I do. I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He’s lazy, bigoted, has a bad drinking problem. The man can’t build or keep a normal relationship with anyone and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three • different women. Yes, I • know him.”The defense attorney • almost fainted. Laughter • mixed with gasps, thundered • throughout the courtroom and • the audience was on the verge • of chaos.At this point, the judge • brought the courtroom to • silence, called both counselors to • the bench, and in a very quiet • voice said, “If either of you • morons asks her if she knows • me, you’re going to jail.”

17. H- HelpfulIs it Helpful? • Will your words help bring about a solution to a problem?

18. Have you heard about the three absent-minded sisters - Wanda, Martha & Wilma - who lived together in the same house? One day, when Wanda decided to take a bath, she drew the bath water & began undressing. But suddenly she stopped & said, "I don’t remember. Am I getting into the tub or am I getting out?" She yelled to her sister Martha, "Martha, help me. Am I getting into the tub, or am I getting out?"Martha hollered back from downstairs & said, "That’s a stupid question. I can’t believe you’re so absent minded.“ And she started up the • stairs, but stopped • about half way up & • said. "Why am I on the • stairs? Am I going up, • or going down?"

19. So she cried for Wilma. "Wilma, come here. I can’t remember if I’m going up the stairs or going down."Wilma replied, "You silly woman. I can’t believe you’re so absent minded. I’m glad I’m not like that. Knock on wood.” And she did. Then she • stopped, looked • around & said, • "Is that someone • knocking at the • front door or the • back door?"

20. I – Inspiring Is it inspiring? • Will your words build up someone?

21. There was a boy with the birthmark on his face, and his dad told him, I’m glad you have that. That’s how I find • you in a crowd. The • little boy told one man, • I feel sorry for people • without a birthmark • like mine! The father’s • words made all the • difference.

22. N – NecessaryIs it Necessary? • Do we have to say anything at all? • A man once told John Wesley, "Mr. Wesley, I pride myself in speaking my mind; that is my talent." "Well," said John Wesley, "the Lord wouldn't mind if you buried that!

23. There was a woman who had a very serious throat condition. The doctor told her that her vocal cords needed total rest ¬ she was forbidden to talk for 6 months! With a husband and 6 kids, this seemed impossible, but she did what she was told. When she needed the kids she blew a whistle. Whenever she needed to communicate she wrote things on pads of paper.After six months, her voice came back. When asked what it was like to communicate only in writing, she said this: “You’d be surprised how many notes I crumpled up and threw into the trash before I gave them to anyone. Seeing my words before anyone heard them had an effect that I don’t think I can ever forget.”

24. K – Kind Is it Kind? • Are your words based on a desire to help? • Someone has said that great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people.

25. A man working in the produce department was asked by a lady if she could buy half a head of lettuce. He replied, "Half a head? Are you serious? God grows these in whole heads and that's how we sell them!"  • "You mean," she persisted, "that after all the years I've • shopped here, you won't • sell me half-a-head of • lettuce?" • "Look," he said, "If you • like I'll ask the manager."  • She indicated that would be • appreciated, so the young • man marched to the front • of the store. "You won't • believe this, but there's a • lame-braided idiot of a lady • back there who wants to • know if she can buy half-a- • head of lettuce." 

26. He noticed the manager gesturing, and turned around to see the lady standing behind him, obviously having followed him to the front of the store. "And this nice lady was wondering if she could buy the other half" he concluded.  Later in the day the manager cornered the young man and said, "That was the finest example of thinking on your feet I've • ever seen! Where did you • learn that?" "I grew up in • Grand Rapids, and if you • know anything about • Grand Rapids, you know • that it's known for its • great hockey teams and its • ugly women." • The manager's face flushed, • and he interrupted, "My wife • is from Grand Rapids!" "And • which hockey team did she play • for?"

27. On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone. The quaint stone bears an epitaph not easily seen unless you stoop over and look closely. The faint etchings • read: • Beneath this stone, a lump • of clay, lies Arabella Young, • Who on the twenty-fourth • of May, began to hold her • tongue.

28. Recognize the Power of Words • "Keep your words warm and sweet for you might have to eat them!"

30. Proverbs 18:19-21 (NLT) • 19 An offended friend is harder to win back • than a fortified city. Arguments separate • friends like a gate locked with bars. • 20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal;    the right words bring satisfaction. • 21 The tongue can bring death or life;    those who love to talk will reap the • consequences.

31. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” • You may remember things that people said to you in the third grade that still bother you today--still intimidate you. Words like, “I hate you; You’re ugly; You’re stupid.” • On the other hand you probably also remember compliments that people made that have stuck with you all these years. Words like, “You did a great job! You have artistic talent! You can do it!” These positive statements probably motivated you to continue to pursue other goals in your life.

32. Colossians 4:6 (MSG) • 6 Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

33. Mary had grown up knowing that she was different from the other kids, and she hated it. She was born with a cleft lip and palate and had to bear the jokes and stares of cruel children who teased her non-stop about her misshaped lip, crooked nose, and garbled speech. With all the teasing, • Mary grew up hating the fact that she was "different". She was convinced that no one, • outside her family, could • ever love her ... until she • entered Mrs. Leonard's • class. Mrs. Leonard had a • warm smile, a round face, • and shiny brown hair. • While everyone in her • class liked her, Mary came • to love Mrs. Leonard.

34. In the 1950's, it was common for teachers to give their children an annual hearing test. However, in Mary's case, in addition to her cleft palate, she was barely able to hear out of one ear. Determined not to let the other children have another "difference" to point out, she would cheat on the test each year. The "whisper test" was given by having a child walk to the classroom door, turn sideways, close one ear with a finger, and then repeat something which the teacher whispered. • Mary turned her bad ear towards her teacher and pretended to cover her good ear. She knew • that teachers would often say • things like, "The sky is blue," • or "What color are your shoes?" • But not on that day. Surely, God • Put seven words in Mrs. • Leonard's mouth that changed • Mary's life forever. When the • "Whisper test“ came, Mary • heard the words: "I • wish you were my little girl."

35. Guard Against Gossip • Ann Landers "People of high intelligence talk about ideas. People of average intelligence talk about things. People of no intelligence talk about other people. Where are you in the lineup?"

37. Proverbs 11:13 (VOICE) • 13 A gossip can’t keep anything confidential,    but a reliable person protects a secret. • Don't pour your heart out to anyone and everyone. Some people are not mature enough to handle it, they are gossipers. Find a prayer partner, a mature Christian who will bring the matter before God and no one else!

38. Proverbs 26:20-24 (VOICE) • 20 When there is no wood, the fire goes out;    when there is no one to spread gossip, arguing • stops.21 Like charcoal to smoldering embers and dry • wood to a fire, so a hot-tempered man kindles • strife.22 Whispered gossip is like a delicious first course:    it is devoured with pleasure and then penetrates • deep within you. • 23 Like a shiny glaze coating a rough clay pot,    so are burning lips that conceal an evil heart.24 One who hates may camouflage it beneath • pleasant words, but deep inside him, treachery • still rages;

39. The NT has two interesting words regarding this sin of the tongue.Katalaleo ("slander“ or bad report). • Psithuristas ("gossip"; KJV--"whisperers"). • Gossip and slander is information about another person TRUE or NOT, • showing them in a less than positive light. The only difference • between the two is one of degrees. • Suppose you wanted to kill • someone. Take a shotgun, walk • right up to their face, announce • that you're going to shoot them, • and then blow them away. That's • slander. Or, you could take a rifle • with a scope, attach a silencer to it, • hide yourself a safe distance away, • kill them from long-distance. They • never know what hit them. That's • gossip.

40. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS FOR OVERCOMING SIN OF GOSSIP.A. If you can't say something good about someone, say nothing (Rom. 12:10).B. Keep private matters private (Prov. 11:13; 25:9-10).C. Watch out for places & situations where gossip is likely to happen. (Friends ... family • dinner table ... Life-Support • Groups where you're "sharing • concerns" ... group after church • in home/restaurant).

41. D. Do not allow gossip to go unchallenged. 1. Constructive: "Now, how can we help this • person?"2. Subtle: Smile sweetly & say, "I'm feeling • very uncomfortable with this conversation."3. Matt. 18:15: "Have you • gone to speak with • this person privately?"4. Concerned: "If ____ • knew we were talking • about them like this • they'd be real hurt!"

42. E. When talking about others, always ask • yourself the question, "Am I gossiping?"1. Talking about ways to help this person ... • Or just talking?2. Is this person being lifted up or torn down?3. Would I be comfortable • if this person were • to walk in on our • conversation? Would I • stop talking? (Chinese • proverb: "Speak only • well of people and you • need never whisper.")

43. Guard Against Falsehood • A lie has no legs. It requires other lies to support it. Tell one lie and you are forced to tell others to back it up. • A lie is a coward's attempt to get out of trouble. • Stretching the truth won't make it last any longer. • Those that think it permissible to tell white lies soon grow colorblind.

46. Proverbs 10:18-19 (VOICE) • 18 Lips that lie cover deep-seated hatred,    and whoever spreads a libelous rumor is • acting as a fool.19 The more you talk, the more likely you will • cross the line and say the wrong thing;    but if you are wise, you’ll speak less and • with restraint.

47. Proverbs 12:17-19 (NLT) • 17 An honest witness tells the truth;    a false witness tells lies. • 18 Some people make cutting remarks,    but the words of the wise bring healing. • 19 Truthful words stand the test of time,    but lies are soon exposed.

48. The United Press International reported of an angry Israeli judge who refused to allow a lady to be her own age. The 1975 story:In 1955, Miss MelaniaNeubart decided she wanted to be 10 years younger in hopes of paving an easier road towards marriage. Claiming there was an error in the official records, Miss Neubart • obtained a court declaration • stating she was born in 1923 • instead of 1913 (she would • have been age 62 in 1975).

49. At that time, she went to magistrate’s court to change her year of birth back to 1913 and admitted she had lied the first time because she wanted to find a husband. Still single, she realized she was officially too young to qualify for a national insurance pension. The judge refused the applicant’s behavior as “bold impertinence,” saying she made the court “an unwitting accomplice in the perpetration of a lie.” • Well for Miss Neubart her lie • certainly backfired. They often • do; as those who tell them have • to have very good memories as • well as the fore thought to figure • out the implications of what they • say.

50. Use Words to Help and Heal