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2. Morality Speech 2 Timothy 2:16 “ But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, ”

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4. 4 Use of the tongue Improper speech has always been condemned by God. –Exodus 20:7 “ You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. ”

5. 5 Use of the tongue Improper speech has always been condemned by God. –Matthew 5:33 “ Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' ”

6. 6 Ephesians 4:29 “ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. ”

7. 7 Use of the tongue Euphemisms –The substitution of an inoffensive or mild expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant.

8. 8 Use of the tongue Nature and use of the tongue as discussed in James 3

9. 9 James 3 “ Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. [2] For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. [3] Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. … ”

10. 10 James 3 “ …[4] Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. [5] So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! [6] And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; … ”

11. 11 James 3 “ …the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. [7] For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. [8] But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. … ”

12. 12 James 3 “ …[9] With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; [10] from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. [11] Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? [12] Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? … ”

13. 13 James 3 “ … Nor can salt water produce fresh. [13] Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. … ”

14. 14 James 3 “ …[16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. [17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. [18] And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ”

15. 15 Use of the tongue Nature and use of the tongue as discussed in James 3 –Great power: to offend – vs. 2-5

16. 16 James 3:2-5 “ … [5] So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! ”

17. 17 Use of the tongue Nature and use of the tongue as discussed in James 3 –Great power: to offend – vs. 2-5 –Untamable – vs. 6-8

18. 18 James 3 “ And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. [7] For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. [8] But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. ”

19. 19 Use of the tongue Nature and use of the tongue as discussed in James 3 –Great power: to offend – vs. 2-5 –Untamable – vs. 6-8 –It can be used in contradictory ways – vs. 9-12

20. 20 James 3 “ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; [10] from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. [11] Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? [12] Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. ”

21. 21 Use of the tongue Nature and use of the tongue as discussed in James 3 –Great power: to offend – vs. 2-5 –Untamable – vs. 6-8 –It can be used in contradictory ways – vs. 9-12 –We show our wisdom, through our use of the tongue – vs. 13-18

22. 22 James 3 “ Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. … ”

23. 23 Use of the tongue Christians must let their yes’s be yes and their no’s be no’s –Matthew 5:37 “ "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil. ”

24. 24 James 5:12 “ But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. ”

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26. 26 Practical tests for our speech Does my speech make me appear worldly or a Christian? –Romans 12:1,2

27. 27 Romans 12:1,2 “ Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ”

28. 28 1 John 2:15-17 “ Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. [17] The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. ”

29. 29 Practical tests for our speech If I speak in this way, does it leave me with a clear conscience? –Romans 14:22-23

30. 30 Romans 14:22-23 “ The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. [23] But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. ”

31. 31 Practical tests for our speech Does my speech influence others for good or does it weaken them to sin? –Luke 17:2

32. 32 Luke 17:2 “ It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. ”

33. 33 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 “ All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. [24] Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. [25] Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake; [26] for the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains. … ”

34. 34 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 “ …[27] If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake. [28] But if anyone says to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience' sake; [29] I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience? … ”

35. 35 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 “ …[30] If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? [31] Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; [33] just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved. ”

36. 36 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 “ However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. [8] But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. … ”

37. 37 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 “ …[9] But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. [10] For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? [11] For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. … ”

38. 38 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 “ …[12] And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. ”

39. 39 Practical tests for our speech Does my speech signify that I am in control? –Colossians 3:5-6

40. 40 Colossians 3:5-6 “ Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. [6] For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, ”

41. 41 1 Peter 1:5-7 “ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,… ”

42. 42 1 Peter 1:5-7 “ …[7] so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ”

43. 43 Practical tests for our speech What does my speech associate me with? –2 Corinthians 6:14-18

44. 44 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 “ Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? [15] Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? [16] Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; … ”

45. 45 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 “ …just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. [17] "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. [18] "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. ”

46. 46 1 Corinthians 15:33 “ Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." ”

47. 47 1 Corinthians 5:6 “ Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? ”

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49. 49 2 Samuel 13:12-13 “ But she answered him, "No, my brother, do not violate me, for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do this disgraceful thing! [13] "As for me, where could I get rid of my reproach? And as for you, you will be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you." ”

50. 50 2 Samuel 13:12-13 All governed by same standard - God’s Each concerned about relation to others. Each one keep themselves pure.

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52. “For nothing can of itself be labeled as wrong.” John A. T. Robinson

53. 53 John 7:17 “ If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. ”

54. 54 John 8:32 “ and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. ”

55. 55 2 Timothy 2:16 “ But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, ”

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