Managing Your Mouth Print

Pastor David Koop 

Last week we looked at the power of meekness – strength under control. If we want to walk in meekness and “inherit the earth” we must keep the power of our tongue under control.

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WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?

  1. Our mouth  ___________________ where we go.
    James 3: 2-4 
    All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does. We put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, and we have control over everything they do. The same thing is true for ships. They are very big and are driven by strong winds. Yet, by using small rudders, pilots steer ships wherever they want them to go.

  2. Our mouth can  ________________  what we have.
    James 3: 5-6
    In the same way the tongue is a small part of the body, but it can brag about doing important things.  A large forest can be set on fire by a little flame.  The tongue is that kind of flame. It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell. 

    Proverbs 6: 2
    You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth.

    Proverbs 18: 21 (Message)
    Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

  3. Our mouth  ____________________ who we really are.
    James 3: 9
    With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongues we curse people, who were created in God’s likeness.
    Matthew 12: 33-34
    "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.”

    Rick Warren writes:
    • If you show me somebody with a harsh tongue, I'll show you somebody with an angry heart.  
    • If show me somebody with an overactive tongue, talking all the time, I'll show you somebody with an unsettled heart.  
    • If you show me somebody with a judgmental tongue and I'll show you somebody with a guilty heart
    • If you show me somebody with a sarcastic biting tongue, I'll show you somebody with a bitter heart.
    • If you show me somebody with a boasting tongue, they're bragging all the time, and I'll show you somebody with an insecure heart.  
    • If you show me somebody who's encouraging all the time, and I show you somebody with a happy heart.  
    • If you show me someone who's gentle in their speech, they are somebody with a peaceful heart.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

  1. Get a _____  ___________ from God.
    Ezekiel 18: 31 (Message)
    Clean house. No more rebellions, please. Get a new heart! Get a new spirit! Why would you choose to die, Israel?

    Proverbs 4: 23-24
    Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.

  2. ________________before we speak.
    James 1: 19
    My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen,  slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

    Proverbs 15: 28
    The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.

    THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK ACRONYM
    T -- Is it truthful?
    H -- Is it helpful?
    I -- Is it inspirational?
    N -- Is it necessary?
    K -- Is it kind?

  3. ___________    ______________ for help daily.
    Psalm 141: 3
    Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

    Romans 8: 13
    For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

  4. _____________ God’s Word to change your world.
    Hebrews 4: 12
    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.