The tongue is a powerful tool, capable of building up or tearing down, creating or destroying. We must use this powerful instrument as God has intended.

1. BREATH OF LIFE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH
Latreia Bible Study, © 2015
Taming the Tongue

2. The Importance of Words

3. James 3:1-12

4. POWER OF THE
TONGUE
An Influential Member

5. Death and life are in the power of the
tongue: and they that love it shall eat the
fruit thereof.
THE TONGUE IS VERY POWERFUL. IN MOST
SITUATIONS, WORDS ACTUALLY SPEAK LOUDER
THAN ACTIONS – NOT THE OTHER WAY
AROUND. FOR IT IS BY WORDS THAT ACTIONS
Proverbs 18:21

6. Words, the Tool of Faith
God
said…
There
was…
It was
good…

7. Words, the Tool of Faith
Hear
Romans
10:17
Believe
2
Corinthians
4:13
Say
Matthew
12:34

8. DISCERNING THE
TONGUE
The Spiritual Measuring Stick

9. If any man among you seem to be religious,
and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth
his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
HOLINESS REQUIRES DISCIPLINE. DISCIPLINE
BEGINS WITH THE CONTROL OF ONE’S OWN
MOUTH.
James 1:26

10. Silent Wisdom
The wise are able to hear
and understand what is
NOT being said…

11. A good man out of the good treasure of his
heart bringeth forth that which is good; and
an evil man out of the evil treasure of his
heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of
the abundance of the heart his mouth
speaketh.
THE MOUTH IS A WINDOW INTO THE HEART!
Luke 6:45

12. TAMING THE BEAST
The Destructive Power of the Tongue

13. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an
unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
ONLY THE HOLY GHOST IS CAPABLE OF
TAMING THE TONGUE. IT CANNOT BE DONE IN
THE FLESH.
 REFERENCE ISAIAH 6:5-7
James 3:8

14. Sins of the Tongue
 Lying
 Proverbs 6:17;
25:18
 John 8:44
 Flattery
 Psalm 5:9
 Pride/ Boasting
 Psalm 12:3-4
 Overuse/ Hastiness
 Ecclesiastes 5:2-3
 Proverbs 29:20
 Swiftness
 Proverbs 18:13
 James 1:19

15. Sins of the Tongue Continued
 Backbiting
 Proverbs 6:19;
25:23
 Romans 1:30
 Tale bearing
 Leviticus 19:16
 Proverbs 18:8
 Cursing
 Romans 3:13-14
 Psalm 109:17-18
 Piercing
 Proverbs 12:18
 Titus 2:8

16. Sins of the Tongue Continued
 Filth
 Ephesians 4:29, 5:4
 Rebellious Silence
 Acts 1:8
 Denial
 Mark 8:38

17. For in many things we offend all. If any
man offend not in word, the same is a
perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body.
MATURITY IS DEMONSTRATED BY THOSE WHO
MASTER THE USE OF THEIR WORDS.
James 3:2

18. And I tell you this, you must give an
account on judgment day for every
idle word you speak.
WORDS MUST BE USED REVERENTLY AND
WISELY.
Matthew 12:36

19. Evil Uses of the Tongue
 Tempting Others
 Trying to Escape
Guilt
 Avoiding the
Consequences of
Sin
 Stealing Kingdoms
 Boasting
 False Accusations
 Denying Christ
 Destroying a Good
Reputation
 Lying

20. THE ALTERNATIVE
Developing a Tamed Tongue

21. Therewith bless we God, even the Father;
and therewith curse we men, which are
made after the similitude of God. Out of the
same mouth proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought
not so to be.
James 3:9-10

22. Think Before You Speak
 Is it true?
 Can I prove it?
 Am I trying to help someone?
 What is my motive or
purpose?
 Is this encouraging?
 Does it need to be said?
 Does it glorify God?

23. “…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:63
SPEAK LIFE!

24. The Word of Life
• A man hath joy
by the answer of
his mouth: and a
word spoken in
due season, how
good is it!
• The Lord GOD
hath given me
the tongue of the
learned, that I
should know how
to speak a word
in season to him
that is weary…
• Preach the word;
be instant in
season, out of
season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort
with all
longsuffering and
doctrine.

25. The Seasonal Word
PURPOSE
Context
Contact
Content
 Isaiah 55:11
 PURPOSE is
accomplished when words
have the appropriate 3 C’s
Contact (Audience, Mode, etc.)
Content (Message, Details,
etc.)
Context (Tone, Timing, etc.)

26. A WISE WORD
Using the Tongue to Edify

27. He that answereth a matter before he
heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Proverbs 18:13

28. Don’t Talk… Just Listen…
People have an
innate fear of silence
(unintentional sound)
• Lack of control
• Feelings of
inadequacy
• Pride

29. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is
counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips
is esteemed a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:28

30. Listening: The Art of Acquisition
 Spiritual Growth
 Increase in Knowledge
 FAITH (Romans 10:17)

31. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow
to wrath.
ONCE WORDS ARE RELEASED, THEY CAN
NEVER BE RESCINDED. LISTEN, THINK AND
PRAY BEFORE YOU SPEAK!
James 1:19

32. The Tongue of the Wise
Proverbs 12:18
 Wise tongues are full
of health
Proverbs 15:2
 Wise tongues use
knowledge

33. Precious Words
 Beauty
 Durability
 Rarity

34. Questions

35. EULOGY ASSIGNMENT
• Choose one random person; another of your
choice
• Write eulogies, to include the following:
• Two or three fond facts…
• Something you’ll never forget (a fond memory or trait)…
• How they have impacted your life…
• What you admire most about them…
• Three words to describe the person…
Words Matter!

36. BREATH OF LIFE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH
Latreia Bible Study
May 2015
Taming the Tongue