Elements City Church
The Word on Words wk2 (Guarding the Untamable)
We each know intuitively that our words have a power to them. Power for good or for harm. It seems in our polarized culture today – it would be really good if we each could get better at HOW we use our words. We need some biblical wisdom on how we speak.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
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http://elem.cc/weeklyWords are a part of ALL our lives -- we’re equally speaking them,
BUT LISTEN: the words we receive and the words we speak are NOT equally weighted, are they? The SOURCE of those words also carries an impact.
BUT LISTEN: the words we receive and the words we speak are NOT equally weighted, are they? The SOURCE of those words also carries an impact.
James has some things to say to us about the power of words! He starts off entitling this section: ‘taming the tongue’ then he proceeds to tell us in the next 12 verses = it’s impossible. We'll dive into this truth here in James chapter 3
*Gain control of your mouth = your words, and you’ll keep yourself from great regret; you’ll be able to keep your whole self out of all kinds of trouble.
That’s a powerful statement. And he goes on to illustrate this in several ways.
That’s a powerful statement. And he goes on to illustrate this in several ways.
Tongue: A small part of your body – has HUGE influence over your life…your tongue controls the direction, destiny and quality of your life; even your future! Small part but BIG influence.
Our tongue will never be fully domesticated within you. There will always be an unpredictable factor to our mouth, to our words - that's what James is saying.
We can come to church and sing praise songs to our Heavenly Father and praise his name and then we leave church, go to lunch, lounging at home and suddenly words come out of our mouths that scorch the ones close to us and/or others we encounter who are made in God’s image and are loved by him.
This should not be!
This should not be!
Then what comes next from James is a total shocker: THE END.
He just finishes and moves on to something else…
...I believe he does this on purpose, to make this point:
There is NO - ONE time decision, choice or action that solves this tension. You and I MUST continually wrestle to guard our tongues.
He just finishes and moves on to something else…
...I believe he does this on purpose, to make this point:
There is NO - ONE time decision, choice or action that solves this tension. You and I MUST continually wrestle to guard our tongues.
There is no:
Once you reach this point in life, you’re done
Once you learn this, you’re done
Once you mature to this level, you’re done
From the moment of your 1st word - until your very last one:
There is a constant potential for great GOOD, and/or Extraordinary harm & evil. Be on your GUARD!
Once you reach this point in life, you’re done
Once you learn this, you’re done
Once you mature to this level, you’re done
From the moment of your 1st word - until your very last one:
There is a constant potential for great GOOD, and/or Extraordinary harm & evil. Be on your GUARD!
Let's examine 3 takeaways for us perhaps:
Recognize the power you have!
-we have great power in our words for good and for evil; to do good or do damage.
*remember James 1:19 - be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry
-we have great power in our words for good and for evil; to do good or do damage.
*remember James 1:19 - be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry
Surrender your weapon – your words to God, for him to grow and wield in the best way possible – to do good and not to cause harm.
Prayer: (from Romans 12:1)
*offer the members of our body to God, ...I give you my hands (to do what you want me to do), my feet (to go where you want me to go), my ears (to hear as you would), my eyes (to see what you say is best) and my words (to influence those around me for your good & toward your best)
*offer the members of our body to God, ...I give you my hands (to do what you want me to do), my feet (to go where you want me to go), my ears (to hear as you would), my eyes (to see what you say is best) and my words (to influence those around me for your good & toward your best)
Confess – it’s not if you mess up; it’s WHEN you MESS up, Fess Up
Don’t excuse or explain your words and the damage you’ve done.
Just own them and confess, seek forgiveness and relational healing.
Don’t excuse or explain your words and the damage you’ve done.
Just own them and confess, seek forgiveness and relational healing.
Your mouth cannot be tamed, it can only be guarded.
It will take us actively and persistently guarding our tongue, standing guard over our words and determining which words will go forth:
Ask Jesus to help set a warden over your words
Ask Jesus to help set a warden over your words
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We throw a 10-minute party immediately following the service in the back corner of the room. If you're new, we'd love to meet you and we have a small gift for you! We also want invite you back with us next Sunday at 5pm as we continue our series together.
We throw a 10-minute party immediately following the service in the back corner of the room. If you're new, we'd love to meet you and we have a small gift for you! We also want invite you back with us next Sunday at 5pm as we continue our series together.