A NEW YEAR, A NEW TONGUE JAMES 3:1-12 cc: pmarkham -

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. cc: pmarkham -

If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. cc: pmarkham -

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. cc: pmarkham -

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” James ‬ ‭ 3:1-12 ESV cc: pmarkham -

“God has given us two ears, two eyes, and but one tongue-to the end that we should hear and see more than we speak.” "The tongue weighs practically nothing but everyone seems to not be able to hold it down" "The tongue is but 3 inches long but it can kill a man six feet high" cc: pmarkham -

THE BOTTOM LINE: In 2016, our hearts must be pure so our tongues will speak pure. cc: pmarkham -

Is your tongue healthy because if your tongue is healthy then everything else is healthy? cc: pmarkham -

What's the atmosphere you desire to live in in 2016? What are you speaking to create that environment? cc: pmarkham -

"Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.” Jeremiah ‬ ‭ 9:8 ‬ ‭ ESV ‬‬ What's in your heart is what comes out of you? Are there some things in your heart that is polluting your speech? Is there residue from 2015, past hurts, past relationships that you need to release so that your speech is not polluted in 2016? cc: pmarkham -

For this new year, we need a new tongue. You will not get what God has for you speaking an old language that is polluted. You need a new tongue for this new year. You need a new language. THE BOTTOM LINE: In 2016, our hearts must be pure so our tongues will speak pure. cc: pmarkham -

Think about it: Failing to master the tongue can impact the effect of God's grace in our lives and in the lives of others. cc: pmarkham -

James discusses why we keep our tongues pure: Fire (verse 6). A World of Unrighteousness (verse 6). cc: pmarkham -

A Stain (verse 6). A Restless Evil (verse 8). A Deadly Poison (verse 8). cc: pmarkham -

James says something in verse 8 that should catch our attention: "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” James ‬ ‭ 3:8-12 ‬ ‭ ESV ‬‬ NO HUMAN CAN TAME THE TONGUE WE NEED GOD'S HELP cc: pmarkham -

People need to see your life more than hear your mouth! The man who never slips up with his words is the man who never slips up with his actions. Your chances of blowing it with your words are directly proportional to the amount of time you spend with your mouth open. cc: pmarkham -

Abe Lincoln said, “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Calvin Coolidge said, “I have never been hurt by anything I did not say.” cc: pmarkham -

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” Proverbs ‬ ‭ 10:19 ‬ ‭ ESV ‬‬ cc: pmarkham -

APPLICATION FOR 2016: THINK before you speak! Using the acronym THINK, try to ask these 5 questions before you speak. cc: pmarkham -

Is it True? Remember this rule about gossip: “The more interesting it is, the more likely it is to be false.” Is it Helpful? Will your words help bring about a solution to a problem? Is it Inspiring? Will your words build up someone? cc: pmarkham -

Is it Necessary? Do we have to say anything at all? Is it Kind? Are your words based on a desire to help? cc: pmarkham -

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” ‭‭ Psalm ‬ ‭ 19:14 ‬ ‭ ESV ‬‬ THE BOTTOM LINE: In 2016, our hearts must be pure so our tongues will speak pure. cc: pmarkham -

A NEW YEAR, A NEW TONGUE JAMES 3:1-12 cc: pmarkham -