THE MOST POWERDFUL WEAPON IN THE WORLD

For Sunday, October 14, 2007

Message title: THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON IN THE WORLD

Pastor Jim Fookes

Scripture: JAMES 1:26
JAMES 3:3-12

James gives us six word pictures in this third chapter of James that
help to depict the power of the tongue.

They are---a bit, a rudder, a fire, an animal, a spring, fruit.

What kind of talk does James have in mind?
1-ANGRY talk
2-IDLE talk
3-NEGATIVE talk
4-COMPLAINING
5-CURSES (vs. BLESSINGS)

Note: Curses are put downs we put on other people. We either speak
life to other people or we speak death. We might add a sixth kind of
talk that is often prevalent today and that is CYNICAL talk.

So how do we get control off the tongue? What do we do about it?
What strategy should we use?

STRATEGY
1-Words are IMPORTANT. (They have an impact.)
2-Words can be LETHAL.
3-Learn to handle DELICATELY "word problems.
a. Discusss with those who are part of the PROBLEM or SOLUTION.
b. Deal with words straightforwardly, PRIVATELY.
c. Deal with words LOVINGLY.
4-EVALUATE WHEN to speak.
5-Reduce your "RIGHTS."
6-Refuse to TEAR others DOWN.
7-Have a "WORD goal."
8-SANCTIFY your tongue.

Other scriptures to consider: Proverbs 10:19; Ecclesiastes 3:7b.