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Tips for Our Tongues. Guidelines for Proper Speech. The Tongue has Tremendous Power. For Good Bit in a horse’s mouth (James 3:3) Rudder on a great ship (James 3:4) “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11) For Evil
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Tips for Our Tongues Guidelines for Proper Speech
The Tongue has Tremendous Power • For Good • Bit in a horse’s mouth (James 3:3) • Rudder on a great ship (James 3:4) • “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”(Proverbs 25:11) • For Evil • Flame that starts a great forest fire (James 3:5) • “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3)
Hypocrisy Flattery Gossip Boasting Strife Lying Build myself up Tear others down Express hatred Gain possessions Gain power Gain pleasure Using the Tongue for Evil
Proper Speech: Purpose • A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger(15:1) • The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit(15:4) • A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction(16:23) • Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed (11:11)
Proper Speech: Preparation • When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise (10:19) • He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame (18:13) • Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him (29:20)
Proper Speech: Content • A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies (12:17) • A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret (11:13)
Proper Speech: Delivery • A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (15:1) • Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (16:32) • A man finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word! (15:23)
Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.