Power Belongs unto God! Psalm 62:11 The Power of the Tongue Proverbs 18:21
I. There is Power in our Tongues. A. The Tongue controls our lives. Prov. 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Prov. 13:3 - He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. Prov. 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
1 Peter 3:10 He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. James 3:2-8, For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one s religion is useless.
B. The tongue tells on our heart. James 3:4-5; Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. James 3:9, With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
Matthew 12:33-37 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Rom. 10:9-10 - confess with your mouth believe in your heart you will be saved.
II. Faith is Released with our Tongues. A. True faith is released with our speaking it. 2 Cor. 4:13: And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed and therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak & 18: while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Mark 11:24: Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
B. There is power in our tongues for good and bad. Proverbs 23:7, For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Heb. 4:12-14: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Heb. 10:23: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
C. Our faith spoken with our tongues should be an encouragement and strength to others. Heb. 10:24-25: And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Matt. 6:30-32: Therefore do not worry, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 31 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 32 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
III. Examples of Speaking the Faith we Believe. A. Jesus, our example to follow in His steps. Matt. 4:1-11; "It is written." B. Peter spoke what He believed, not what he saw. Acts 3:5-8 Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. C. Paul and Silas spoke in faith. (Acts 16:25) D. What does Jesus say we should do? Mark 11:22b-23, Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Joshua 1:8-9 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.