How To Manage Your Tongue

Isn't it amazing how quickly your words can change?  In one minute we're saying, "Praise the Lord", in the next we're saying, "Shut up!"  In one moment we say: “God is love!”  In the next moment we say, “I’d love to punch you.”

The tongue is a strange contradiction.  Why? Because WE are so inconsistent. 

James 3:9 "The tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with the same tongue we curse people who've been made in God's likeness. From the same mouth come praise and curses.  My friends, this should not be." 

In this text of the Bible, the term “Cursing” doesn't necessarily mean profanity.  It means any kind of put-down-label. [When we call someone: stupid, clumsy, fat, lazy, etc.]  Any kind of put down is a curse. 

 Do you struggle with an inconsistent tongue?  James says we all have it.  We speak lovingly in one breath and then lash out in the next.  What gives?  What's the problem?  Why do we do that?  Why can we genuinely say something in love and kindness one minute and then genuinely say something in hate the next minute? 

James gives the answer:

"Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."  James 3:11-12

To use an agricultural example, whatever is in the well comes out in the water.  Whatever is in the tree, comes out in the fruit.  What is the likelihood of an apple tree producing cherries?  Zip!  Nada!  Won’t happen!

Our problem is not really our tongue.  Our problem is our heart.  What's in the heart is what comes out the mouth. 

Have you heard someone say something really mean or hurtful and they explain, "I don't know what got into me.  It's not like me to say that.  I don't know why I said that.  It's totally out of character.  I didn't really mean it."  

James would say, “Yes, it is.  It's just like you. Quit kidding yourself.  What's inside is simply coming out.” 

We don't have a spring that one minute gives salt water and the next gives fresh water.  That's inconsistent.  It's a natural law:  what comes out of the well is what is inside of the well.” 

Jesus said it like this: "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."  Matthew 12:34

If you've got a problem with your tongue, it's much more serious than you think.  You have a heart problem. 

A person with a harsh tongue has an angry heart. 

A person with a negative tongue has a fearful heart. 

A person with an overactive tongue has an unsettled heart. 

A person with a boasting tongue has an insecure heart. 

A person with a filthy tongue has an impure heart. 

A person who is critical all the time has a bitter heart. 

On the other hand, a person who is always encouraging has a happy heart. 

A person who speaks gently has a loving heart. 

A person who speaks truthfully has an honest heart.  

Brad Johnson is Pastor of California Community Church, Agoura Hills, CA meeting in the Ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel each Sunday at 9:30AM and 11:00 AM

http://www.californiacommunitychurch.com