Taming the Tongue #2

- INPUT - what does the Bible say about man's ability to
control the tongue on his own and what should that
remind us of?

- in your notes, Roman III contains some guidelines for
taming our tongues.
- we've studied these principles in other forms over the past
several weeks, so we're not going to look at them in
detail.

- however, they are good to have because they summarize much
of what we've been saying in a concise way.

- in order to familiarize us with the way they're stated.
let's do this:
- let's go down through them and ask this question of
each principle:

- What will happen if we don't follow this principle?

- go through each one - take 15-20 seconds on each.
Sample answers for #1 might include:
- will be rude
- won't hear what other person is saying
- will be acting like a fool
- will be raising children who won't listen

IV. Practical Projects To Tame The Tongue

A. Memorize these ten "Tongue Tamers"

- Go through passages - find the tongue tamer in each
passage.
- there is some overlap in the concepts.

1. Prov. 29:20

Don't speak quickly.

2. Prov. 18:13

Don't answer until you have the facts.

3. Prov. 15:4

Don't use words that crush.

4. Prov. 21:23

Don't speak when you should be "holding your
tongue."

5. Prov. 17:28

Shut lips at appropriate times.

6. Prov. 18:8

Don't speak lies, words that wound.

7. Matt. 12:36, 37

Don't speak idle words.

8. I Pet. 3:10

Don't speak half-truths (guile).

9. Col. 4:6

Speak words that are gracious.

10. Psalm 19:14

Speak words that are acceptable to God.

B. Learn to keep promises.

Ps. 15:1-4

INPUT - what are some situations where a believer
might be tempted not to keep his/her word?

C. Learn to keep vows to God

Eccle. 5:4-7

INPUT - what are some promises a person might make to
the Lord and what might stand in the way of keeping
those promises?

D. Learn to identify:

1. Gossip (reporting or rumoring problems that do not
concern you/or the person you are telling)

INPUT - kinds of gossip that believers sometimes
get caught up in?

2. Slander (truth designed to hurt)

INPUT - difference between #1 and #2

INPUT - why might a person slander someone else?

3. Bad reports (misinformation)

INPUT - why might a person get caught up in this
sinful use of the tongue?

INPUT - what are some steps we can take to identify whether
we are guilty of this kind of speech?

1) Think about conversations with those closest to
you. These are probably the persons you are most
likely to "fall into" this kind of speech with."

2) Ask those closest to you if you ever speak in this
way. Be ready to repent and change.

E. Join the "Good Reporters" club.

1. the world reports bad news.

- cf. the "National Inquirer" type papers

2. Remember that Satan is the Accuser of the
brethren. Let us not be like him.

F. Defusing statements