INTEGRITY The Tongue The tongue can create or destroy life. James 3:10 says, Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. Turning the tongue in the right direction is more than just trying to control it; it is allowing God s transforming power to change your heart. This lesson will help you identify root causes that might feed an uncontrollable tongue, teach you correct responses, and point to solutions for allowing God to use your tongue for life not death. INTIMACY WITH CHRIST Your intimacy with Christ is crucial for controlling your tongue. It is only out of your intimacy with Christ that God s character, instead of the immoral responses of this world, pours forth from your tongue. Seek a greater intimacy with Christ every day so that God s victory and love can be fully experienced. 1. Ephesians 3:15-20 I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. (NIV) a. How does your intimacy with Christ promote control and edification of your tongue? IMMERSION WITH CHRIST (Lordship) Your intimacy with Christ will reveal attitudes, habits, and actions of the tongue that are contrary to His love and character. Your immersion in Christ is your response to these habits, attitudes, and actions. By faith, put God first and allow Him to change those areas to reflect His character and love. 1 PART 2 LESSON 11 T R A N S F O R M A T I O N
2. Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me. (NIV) a. This verse is about a man who desperately wants eternal life, but his possessions are holding him back. How does holding back from God thwart His efforts to give you victory over your tongue? EMPOWERING YOUR LIFE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT What comes from your tongue is filled with the history of your life, the world and its influences, your character, and satan s influence. It is very difficult to change these habits and impulses without the work of the Holy Spirit. 3. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV) a. When you live by faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit is free to produce His life in you. What results from the Holy Spirit s work in you? The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. ROOT CAUSES OF WHAT COMES FROM THE TONGUE What comes from your tongue reflects what is in your heart. Understanding the areas of your heart that are controlled or influenced by sin will help you submit those areas to Christ for His sanctification. 2
4. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. (NIV) a. What problem promotes unrighteousness spewing from the tongue? 5. James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. (NIV) (Related Scriptures: James 3:2-12 and Proverbs 18:21) a. What might an uncontrolled and venomous tongue tell about a Christian? 6. James 3:9-11 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? (NIV) a. What attitude is reflected when an unbridled tongue unleashes itself onto others in a negative way? DEALING WITH OTHERS The way you speak to others reflects your attitudes, actions, and character that have been a part of your life through years of use. Ask God to not only reveal areas of sin involving the tongue, but to also help you transform those areas for blessings and not harm. 7. 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. (NIV) (Related Scriptures: James 4:11-12, Luke 6:37, Matthew 7:1-2, and Romans 14:10) 3
a. What should you not do with others? b. Why should you not judge others? Do not judge others. 8. Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV) a. What are the guidelines for your speech? 9. Proverbs 17:27-28 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. (NIV) (Related Scripture: Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 26:4b, Matthew 5:39-42 and Ephesians 4:26-27) a. How can you avoid conflict and hurting others? 10. Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. (NIV) a. What might be the continued result of an unbridled tongue? 11. Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. (NIV) a. How should you respond to negative or frustrating situations? 4
12. Galatians 5:5-6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (NIV) a. This verse speaks to an argument concerning the application of Law pertaining to the rite of circumcision. What does this teach you about similar arguments that might occur concerning the interpretation of Scripture? 13. Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. (NIV) a. Why is gossip harmful in dealing with others? CONTROLLING THE TONGUE Controlling the tongue will flow from your relationship with Christ. Out of your relationship with Christ will flow the life and character of Christ. Continue to pray for and seek Christ s character out of your intimacy with Him so that your tongue might glorify God and not discredit Him. 14.1 1 Peter 4:1 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. (NIV) a. What is God s standard for the tongue? 15. Proverbs 12:18-19 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. (NIV) (Related Scriptures: James 1:19-21) a. What character traits protect the tongue from reckless words? 5
16.1 1 Peter 4:7 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (NIV) (Related Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Colossians 3:13-14) a. Love is the most powerful way to conquer the tongue. How does love change your mindset so that the tongue brings good instead of evil? Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 17. Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (NIV) a. What is one of the most powerful ways to change your mindset when resolving conflicts with others? 18. Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. (NIV) a. What important character trait always helps when dealing with the tongue? 19. Proverbs 17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. (NIV) a. What character trait will help you love and forgive others? 6
Lesson 11, The Tongue, has taught you how to bridle your tongue so that Christ not only can be shown through your life, but also to allow His life to be seen by others. Allow God to reveal root causes that create fertile ground for an out-of-control tongue. Ask God to change these areas of sin in order that the full power and work of God can be released in you. Lesson 12, Fellowship of Believers, will enlarge your scope to the importance of other followers in Christ growing in Him as well as protecting yourself from sin, false teaching, and becoming me-focused instead of outwardly focused towards love and ministry. 7