PERFECTING OUR
SPEECH

James 3:1-12

Ephesians 4:29-31

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.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom

you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and

slander, along with every form of malice.”

Psalms 12:3-4

“May the LORD cut off all flattering lips

and every boastful tongue that says, "We

will triumph with our tongues; we own our l

lips--who is our master?"

OUR SPEECH WILL JUDGE US

James 3:1

“Not many of you should presume to be teachers,

my brothers, because you know that we who teach

will be judged more strictly.”

Matthew 12:36-37

“But I tell you that men will have to give account

on the day of judgment for every careless

word they have spoken. For by your words you

will be acquitted, and by your words you will be

condemned."

“Idles Words”

•Strong says that idle means, “lazy,

shunning labor which one ought to

perform.”

•The basic meaning of argos (careless) is

useless, barren, unproductive, otherwise

worthless. Such words include those that

are flippant, irresponsible, or in any way

inappropriate. -John McArthur

Colossians 4:5-6

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;

make the most of every opportunity. Let your

conversation be always full of grace,

seasoned with salt, so that you may know how

to answer everyone.”

Luke 4:21-22

“… and he began by saying to them, "Today

this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

All spoke well of him and were amazed at the

gracious words that came from his lips. “

Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked.”

Luke 2:46-47

“After three days they found him in the temple

courts, sitting among the teachers, listening

to them and asking them questions. Everyone

who heard him was amazed at his

understanding and his answers”

Matthew 12:33-37

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

CONTROLLING YOUR SPEECH IS EVIDENCE OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

James 3:1-4

“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you

know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in

many ways. If anyone is never at fault In what he says, he is a perfect man,

able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of

horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships

as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds,

they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.”

THE TONGUE CAN CAUSE A WORLD OF TROUBLE

James 3:5-6

“Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it

makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is

set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a

world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts

the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on

fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

“The Tongue That Cannot Be Tamed”

James 3:7-9

“ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures

of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by

man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a

restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue

we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we

curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.”

THE TONGUE IS A REFLECTION OF THE HEART

James 3:10-12

“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?

My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a

grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring

produce fresh water.”