The Taming of the Tongue

INTRODUCTION:  The tongue is an unruly evil.  To bridle the tongue is to accomplish a great thing.  If only we could only surrender our tongue to glorify God.

1. The Importance of the Tongue (James 3:1-5)
1. In Our Responsibility to God (James 3:1)
2. In Our Relationship to Others (James 3:2)
3. In our Rule Over Self (James 3:3-5)
1. As the bit in a horses mouth (James 3:3)
2. As the rudder of a great ship (James 3:4)
3. So the tongue in man (James 3:5)
2. The Iniquity of the Tongue (James 3:6-8; Proverbs 6:16-19; Romans 3:13-14)
1. Set on Fire and Setting on Fire (James 3:6)
2. Defiling the Whole Body (James 3:6)
3. Refusing to Be Tamed (James 3:7-8; Colossians 3:6-9; Philippians 4:2)
3. The Inequity of the Tongue (James 3:9-12; 1:26)
1. In Proclaiming Both Blessings and Curses (James 3:9-10)
2. In Producing Both Sweet and Bitter (James 3:11-12)
1. the hypocrisy of Southern culture
4. The Improvement of the Tongue (James 3:13-18; Ephesians 4:25-32)
1. The Wisdom of a Tamed Tongue (James 3:13)
1. A good conversation
2. With meekness (Colossians 4:6)
2. The Wisdom of this Wicked World (James 3:14-16)
1. Strife in your hearts (James 3:14; 1 Corinthians 3:3)
2. Earthly, sensual, devilish (James 3:15)
3. Confusion and every evil work (James 3:16)
3. The Wisdom of a Heavenly Heart (James 3:17-18)
1. The character of this tongue (James 3:17)
2. The fruit of this tongue (James 3:18 ; Acts 4:31)

CONCLUSION: Offer your tongue on God's altar today.