Dangers to the pure heart - 6

1. Dangers to the pure heart - 6

2. It is imperative that we maintain a pure heart (Prov. 4:23, 3:5-6) • BUT, there are dangers to keeping the heart pure. • In this lesson we will discuss some of these dangers

3. Dangers • Lust - Sensuality • Lust – Covetousness and Pride • Ignorance & Unbelief • Busyness & clutter • Bitterness • The tongue

4. The Tongue • James 3:1-12 • We all stumble in word (2). IF we can master the tongue we can “bridle the whole body” • Though small in size, it turns the whole body (3-4)

5. The Tongue • James 3:1-12 • It is little but boasts great things (5). The danger of a fire • A fire, a world of iniquity (6) • Set on fire by “hell” (6b)

6. The Tongue • James 3:1-12 • It cannot be tamed (7-8). NOT you individually, but in general • An unruly evil, full of deadly poison (8)

7. The Tongue • James 3:1-12 • With it we bless God and curse men (9). • These things ought not be so (10) • Fresh and bitter water (11-12) • POINT: Guard your tongue!

8. The Tongue • It can do great damage! • Starts wars, severs friendships, destroys families, divides churches • Have led to depression, suicide, feelings of worthlessness, etc. • Frustrate good works

9. The Tongue • Abusive words can cause us to avoid dealing with problems • Deceived many with false teaching • The sins of the tongue are legion

10. The Tongue • Prov. 4:23, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”

11. The Tongue • Matt. 12:33-37 “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”

12. The Tongue • Matt. 12:33-37 “…But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

13. The Tongue • Matt. 15:18-19 “…But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

14. The Tongue • Prov. 15:4, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

15. The Tongue • Eph. 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

16. The Tongue • Prov. 12:17-20, “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit…”

17. The Tongue • James 1:26, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

18. The Tongue • James 1:26, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

19. Sins of the tongue • Gossip – 2 Thess. 3:11, 1 Thess. 4:11 • Complaining and criticism – James 5:9, Phil. 2:14-15 • Lying – Rev. 21:8, Eph. 4:25 • Profanity – Col. 3:8, Eph. 4:29-32

20. Dealing with the Tongue Self-Control is the answer to dealing with the tongue

21. Dealing with the Tongue • Realize the damage the tongue can do • Watch where you go and what you listen to – 1 Cor. 15:33, Phil. 4:8 • Resolve you will filter what you say – Psa. 141:3, 39:1

22. Dealing with the Tongue • THINK before you speak – James 1:19-20, Prov. 15:28, 10:19 • Seek to use your tongue for good – cf. 1 Thess. 5:14

23. Are you controlling your tongue?