Sunday 21 July 2002 Chris Butcher
Sermon Notes: 'The tongue & wise words'
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You idiot You’re stupid You’re ugly I’m leaving You’re fat I wish you were dead Get lost I hate you
You’re special Well done You’re marvellous That was clever Marry me I will I do How nice to see you I'm sorry I forgive you I love you
Can you remember any of these words being said to you? Such short phrases. Yet so powerful – for good or evil
Perhaps we’ve said them ourselves. Perhaps we regretted them later But we can’t take them back however much we long to – like the bubbles. They’re released into the atmosphere and beyond our ability to take them back. Unsurprisingly God has plenty to say about the subject in the scriptures In James (3 :4ff) the power of the tongue is likened to a fire or ships rudder. So small yet so powerful (eg USA FOREST FIRES / SUPERTANKER) Mastering the tongue is a lifetime’s struggle – as we mature so we change. What we say and how we say it is a sign of our heart condition. Jesus was angry at the hypocrites "for out of the overflow of your hearts your mouth speaks" (Matt 12:34) David was conscious of the need for his words to be pleasing to God (Psalm 19: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer) As we praise God He hears our words but knows our hearts too!
We can use the tongue to build up or break down. Are we unfair, critical, accusing? That is not God speaking through us - it's our fallen, wordly nature coming through. The Devil is described as the accuser of men (Rev 12) We're taught to be the opposite of this - to encourage each other - to build each other up in our faith. So do we? Better not to speak than to say the wrong thing - James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.. As Jesus said 'let your yes be yes and your no be no' How different is the word of God? God's word is the ultimate in truth and power:
As disciples we are called to follow the example of Jesus, our Lord: He spoke the truth in all situations - but didn't babble on. Simple truth put gently to the weak, the seeking, those with hearts searching for meaning, for God. But hard words for those who abused them - the pharisees / hypocrites. " You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks". (Matthew 12:34, NIV) So as we grow in knowledge of the Word of God we are equipped to speak out with God's authority. His word has but one purpose - to usher in His kingdom into the lives of those who hear - with love, compassion, respect, grace mixed with passion and conviction of the truth We must speak out. As Peter tells us: 1 Pet 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, And in Collosians 4: 'Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone It would be easy to hide behind the truth that only God can change our hearts. Certainly, as the Holy Spirit works within us to mature us and cleanse us it will be easier to tame our tongues but taming the tongue requires our co-operation too - it requires effort, discipline as well as God's help!
But by our own effort we can make a difference. We can practice the teaching in James - being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, As we develop God's heart for others we will speak more lovingly. As we develop God's heart for justice we will speak out against injustice and oppression
And as we do this we will be helping to usher in God's kingdom into the lives of those we meet
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