DISCIPLINE: TO TAME THE TONGUE 3
1/30/00
Deut 4:34-37
34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by miraculous signs and wonders, by war, by a
mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds,
like all the things the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your
very eyes? 35 You were shown these things so that you might know that
the LORD is God; besides him there is no other. 36 From heaven he
made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his
great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. 37 Because he
loved your forefathers and chose their descendants after them, he
brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength,
Ps 94:12-13
12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man
you teach from your law; 13 you grant him relief from days
of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW GOD AND TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL LIFE IN BUSINESS, IN MARRIAGE, IN CHURCH AND IN THEIR OTHER MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS. SUCCESS AND PRODUCTIVITY IS THE RESULT OF HARD WORK AND DISCIPLINE. ALBERT N. GRAY SAYS THAT SUCCESS LIES IN FORMING THE HABIT OF DOING THINGS THAT FAILURES DON'T LIKE TO DO. DISCIPLINE, WE DON'T EVEN LIKE THE SOUND OF THE WORD AND YET IT IS THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL LIFE. SOMEONE ONCE SAID THAT " THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND A MEDIOCRE ONE SOMETIMES CONSISTS OF LEAVING ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE THINGS A DAY UNSAID. VAN CROUCH SAYS, " TO CONTROL YOUR TONGUE IS TO CONTROL YOUR VERY LIFE. THIS MORNING I WOULD LIKE TO CONCLUDE THIS PART OF OUR DISCIPLINE SERIES ON TAMING THE TONGUE. NEXT WEEK WE WILL LOOK AT ANOTHER AREA OF DISCIPLINE IN THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE AND SUCCESS.
James 1:19-21
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger
does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore,
get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly
accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
SUCCESS IN LIFE BEGINS BY LISTENING TWICE AS MUCH AS WE SPEAK BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN GIVEN 2 EARS AND ONE MOUTH. DALE CARNEGIE ONCE SAID THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE BEST OF AN ARGUMENT IS TO AVOID IT ALTOGETHER. Prov 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from trouble. SOME HOW WE FIND THIS VERY HARD TO DO BECAUSE NO MAN CAN TAME THE TONGUE ACCORDING TO JAMES 3:8 LET’S READ THAT PASSAGE AGAIN THIS MORNING.
James 3:1-12
3:1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We 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. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or 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. 5Likewise 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. 6 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.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
THE REASON NO MAN CAN DISCIPLINE OR TAME HIS TONGUE IS BECAUSE THE ROOT HIS PROBLEM DOES START WITH HIS TONGUE BUT HIS HEART. EZRA TAFT BENSON SAID, " THE LORD WORKS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE WORLD WORKS FROM THE OUTSIDE IN. THE WORLD WOULD SHAPE HUMAN BEHAVIOR, BUT CHRIST CAN CHANGE HUMAN NATURE." THE PROBLEM IS NOT WITH OUT TONGUE BUT WITH OUR HEARTS. JESUS SAID, OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEAR THE MOUTH SPEAKS. ONCE YOU’VE ALLOWED THE LORD TO CHANGED YOUR HEART YOU WILL TAME YOUR TONGUE.
Mark 7:20-23
20And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth
the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed
evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Matt 12:33-37
33"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. 34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35The 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. 36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
Prov 16:1
The preparations of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
WHEN WE SUBMIT TO THE DISCIPLINE OF GOD TAMING OUR TONGUE WE WILL BE ON THE ROAD TO A SUCCESSFUL LIFE. WILLIAM JAMES SAID, THE GREATEST REVOLUTION OF OUR GENERATION IS THE DISCOVERY THAT HUMAN BEINGS, BY CHANGING THE INNER ATTITUDES OF THEIR MINDS, CAN CHANGE THE OUTER ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES." GOD WORKS FROM THE INSIDE OUT, CHANGING OUR HEART, CHANGING OUR THOUGHTS, CHANGING OUR ATTITUDES AND ULTIMATELY CHANGING OUR ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY AND TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE. LET’S LOOK AT A FEW SCRIPTURES FROM PROVERBS THIS MORNING:
Prov 10:20-21
20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of
the wicked is of little value. 21The lips of the righteous nourish
many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
Prov 15:1-4
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
2The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of
the fool gushes folly. 3The eyes of the LORD are everywhere,
keeping watch on the wicked and the good. 4The tongue that
brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
NOW, ANOTHER FACTOR IN THE DISCIPLINE OF THE TONGUE IS TO KNOW WHY GOD CREATED US WITH THE CAPACITY OF VERBAL COMMUNICATION AND RIGHT FROM THE START I CAN TELL YOU, ITS NOT SO THAT YOU CAN PIERCE YOUR TONGUE WITH A TONGUE RING.
Ps 16:8-9
8I have set the LORD always before me; Because He
is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My
flesh also will rest in hope.
(NOW THE PHRASE: "MY GLORY REJOICES"
DOESN’T MEAN A THING TO ME UNTIL I
SEE IT IN THE N.T.)
Acts 2:22-26
"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- 23Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the LORD always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
HERE WE SEE PETER ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST TAKE AN OBSCURE O.T. PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE AND WITH APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY, GIVE THE RIGHT INTEPRETATION …."AND MY GLORY REJOICES REALLY MEANS MY TONGUE WAS YOUR GLORY. WHY? BECAUSE YOU WERE GIVEN A TONGUE TO GLORIFY GOD. IT IS THE ONE MEMBER IN OUR BODY THAT CAN GLORIFY GOD ABOVE ALL OTHERS. SO ANY TONGUE THAT DOES NOT GLORIFY GOD IS A MISUSE OF THE TONGUE. THE ESSENCE OF SIN IS COMING SHORT OF GOD’S GLORY.
NOW THERE ARE 2 KINDS OF FIRE THAT MEET ON THE HUMAN TONGUE. THE FIRST IS THE FIRE OF HELL. IT INFLAMES THE TONGUE OF THE UNREGENERATE, SINFUL AND NATURAL MAN. JAMES 3:6 TELLS US THAT THE TONGUE IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF EVIL AMONGST THE PARTS OF THE BODY, IT CORRUPTS THE WHOLE PERSON, SETS THE WHOLE COURSE OF HIS SOUL ON FIRE AND IS ITSELF SET ON FIRE OF HELL. MAN, THAT ALMOST MAKES YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR JAWS LOCKED. THIS FIRE PRODUCES HELLISH RESULTS AND BAD FRUIT. BUT THEN THERE’S THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT COME FROM HEAVEN.
Acts 2:1-4
2:1Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3Then there appeared to them cloven or divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
WHEN THE DAY OF PENTECOST CAME TO THE EARLY CHURCH THE VERY FIRST MANIFESTATION WAS CLOVEN TONGUES OF FIRE. THE FIRE FROM HEAVEN DROVE OUT THE FIRE OF HELL FROM THEIR MOUTHS AND IT REPLACED IT WITH A CLEANSING AND A PURIFICATION AND THEY BEGAN TO USE THEIR MOUTH TO GLORIFY GOD. ITS RECORDED IN ACTS THAT THE FIRST PENTECOSTAL DISCIPLES BOLDLY SPOKE THE WORD OF GOD. THEY PRAYED IN A PRAYER LANGUAGE AND THE FIRE OF GOD FROM HEAVEN GAVE THEM A NEW WAY TO USE THEIR TONGUES. EVERYTHING THEY SAID THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT AFTER THAT RESULTED IN GOD’S GLORY AND HONOR. NOW WHEN THESE DISCIPLES SPOKE IN TONGUES IS WAS NOT A LANGUAGE THEY KNEW. PAUL RECORDS FOR US 2 KINDS OF TONGUES, THAT OF MEN OR THE LANGUAGES OF MAN; AND OF ANGELS IN 1 COR.13. WHEN WE PRAY IN TONGUES WE ARE PRAYING HEAVEN’S LANGUAGE THAT ONLY GOD CAN INTERPRET AND ITS ALWAYS RIGHT. HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO PRAY THROUGH A PROBLEM IN ENGLISH THAT RESULTED IN INADEQUATE WORDS AND FRUSTRATION. GOD OFFERS TO EVERY BELIEVER THE ABILITY TO PRAY IN GOD’S LANGUAGE AND THE HOLY SPIRIT LIFTS THE BURDEN OF OUR HEART AND IT GIVES THE BELIEVER. NOW YOU DON’T PRAY IN ERROR AND YOU DON’T PRAY WRONG WHEN YOU PRAY IN TONGUES, IT REALLY GIVES YOU AND EDGE. HERE’S A FEW SCRIPTURES TO CONSIDER.
Rom 8:26-27
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the
saints in accordance with God's will.
1 Cor 14:14-15
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays , but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
1 Cor 14:39-40
39Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Jude 20-21
20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
PRAYING IN TONGUES IS NOT A MERIT BADGE HERE IN THIS CHURCH SO WE NEVER JUDGE PEOPLE ON THE BASIS OF PRAYING IN TONGUES. NO, A PRAYER LANGUAGE IS JUST AND EFFECTIVE TOOL IN ORDER TO COMMUNICATE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GOD, BYPASSING YOUR MIND SO THAT YOUR LIMITED NATURAL PERSPECTIVE CAN’T MESS UP WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO WHEN YOU PRAY. PAUL ALSO TELLS US THAT PRAYING IN TONGUES EDIFIES OR BUILDS UP THE BELIEVER, HE’S ENCOURAGED, COMFORTED AND REFRESHED AND IT IS A BENEFIT. BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU CAN’T SIN, AND THAT YOU’LL FINISH YOUR DESTINY. SO I WON’T MAKE TONGUES MY PLATFORM TO BUILD THIS CHURCH BUT I WILL USE IT AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME. IS THAT OK?
1 Cor 3:10-11
10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert
builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be
careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other
than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
THERE IS ONLY ONE PLATFORM AND ONE FOUNDATION THAT ANY LOCAL CHURCH OR MINISTRY SHOULD BE BUILT ON AND THAT IS JESUS CHRIST. IT’S NOT BUILT ON TONGUES, ITS NOT BUILT ON PROPHECY AND ITS NOT BUILT ON HEALING BUT ONLY ON JESUS CHRIST. HE ALONE IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT BELIEVE. NOW THE WORD SALVATION IS AN ALL INCLUSIVE WORD AND INCLUDES HEALING, PROPHECY, TONGUES AND OTHER GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT AS WELL AS A FREE TICKET TO HEAVEN. EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE NEED OF BETWEEN NOW AND ETERNITY IS FOUND BY SALVATION THOUGH JESUS CHRIST!
Eph 5:15-21
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do
not be unwise, (TRAN. DON’T BE STUPID) but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, ( AND DON’T WATCH
TO MUCH TV OR DON’T EAT TO MUCH OR DON’T WATCH THOSE SOAP OPERAS, DON’T BE IN EXCESS OF ANYTHING CAUSE IT CAN BECOME AN ADDICTION) in which is dissipation; but be filled with the
Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving
thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
MOST CHRISTIANS WOULD SAY THAT IT’S A SIN TO BE DRUNK WITH WINE AND IT IS BUT ITS ALSO A SIN NOT TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT CAUSE THERE IN THE SAME VERSE. BUT, YOU SEE, CHRISTIAN ARE GOOD AT SELECTIVE CONDEMNATION. NOW WHEREVER I WALK VICTORY I’LL SPEAK ABOUT THAT ONE AND WHEREVER I’M WALKING IN DEFEAT I’LL AVOID SPEAKING ABOUT THAT. I’M SUPPOSE TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT AND NOT DRUNK WITH WINE. NOW THE NEXT VERSE TELLS US WHAT THE TONGUE IS FOR. SPEAKING TO ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS. SPIRITUAL SONGS ARE SINGING IN THE SPIRIT THAT PAUL REFERRED TO IN 1COR.14:14-15. SINGING AND MAKING MELODY AND GIVING THANKS TO GOD ALWAYS FOR ALL THINGS. OUR TONGUE IS TO BE USED TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE, TO EDIFY ONE ANOTHER AND TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD. THE KEY IS TO LEARN HOW TO YIELD YOUR TONGUE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT AND THEN TO SPEAK. IT MENTIONS TONGUES, PREACHING, PROPHESY, PRAYER AND PRAISE IN THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE.
CONTROLLING OR TAMING YOU TONGUE IS NOT JUST ABOUT DENYING IT USE BY THE DEVIL BUT ALSO YIELDING IT TO GOD AS AN INSTRUMENT THAT PROMOTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OR DOING WHAT’S RIGHT.
Heb 3:1
3:1Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, (even) Jesus;
NOW WE NEED TO SEE SOMETHING HERE ABOUT THE HIGH PRIESTLY MINISTRY OF JESUS WHO IS NOW IN HEAVEN APPEARING IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US. THE ONLY THING THAT LINKS US TO JESUS AS HIGH PRIEST IS OUR TONGUE, OUR PRAYERS AND OUR CONFESSIONS. IF I MERELY BELIEVE BUT DON’T MAKE CONFESSION THEN HIS HIGH PRIESTHOOD IS NOT OPERATING IN MY LIFE. SO ITS NOT ON THE BASIS OF OUR UNSPOKEN FAITH BUT ON OUR SPOKEN CONFESSION THAT JESUS AS OUR HIGH PRIEST WATCHES OVER OUR WORDS TO PERFORM IT. NOW A CONFESSION CAN BE DEFINED AS SAYING THE SAME THING WITH OUR MOUTH THAT GOD SAYS IN HIS WORD. WE NEED TO CONSIDER THE ARENA IN WHICH OUR WORDS ARE SPOKEN. ARE WORDS CAN BE HEARD BY GOD, BY PEOPLE AND BY DEMONS. WHEN WE SPEAK GOD’S WORD IN THE FORM OF CONFESSION, JESUS AS OUR HIGH PRIEST ENFORCES HIS WORD IN OUR LIFE. IF WE SPEAK NEGATIVE WORDS THEN DEMONS HAVE A LEGAL RIGHT TO ENFORCE THOSE WORDS AND USE THEM AGAINST US AND THOSE TO WHOM WE HAVE DIRECTED THEM. AND THEN, OF COURSE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO RESPOND OR REACT TO THE WORDS WE SPEAK.
Heb 4:14-16
14Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Heb 10:19-23
19Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood
of Jesus, 20by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21and having a High Priest over the house of
God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed
with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
LET US HOLD FAST OUR CONFESSION CAUSE OUR CONFESSION LINKS US TO JESUS AS OUR HIGH PRIEST WHO WILL APPEAR IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD FOR US. RIGHT CONFESSION IS EVEN ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION.
Rom 10:8-11
"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
SALVATION IS LINKED TO FAITH IN OUR HEARTS AND MAKING A RIGHT CONFESSION WITH OUR MOUTH. THAT’S WHY WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ASK JESUS TO COME INTO YOUR HEART BY WAY OF VERBAL REQUEST. ASK HIM, CONFESS HIM AND YOU WILL BE SAVED. HAS ANYONE NOT DONE THAT HERE THIS MORNING WHO NEEDS TO? CAUSE YOU’RE NOT SAVED AND GOING TO HEAVEN UNTIL YOU DO. I CAN BELIEVE THIS GIRL LOVES ME AND I CAN BELIEVE SHE WANTS TO MARRY ME OR I CAN BELIEVE SHE WANTS TO GO OUT WITH ME CAUSE 3 PEOPLE HAVE HEARD HER SAY SO BUT IT NOT GONNA HAPPEN UNTIL SOMEONE ASKS HER. THE SAME THING APPLIES WITH SALVATION. JESUS WON’T COME INTO YOUR HEART AND LIFE AND SAVE YOU UNTIL YOU ASK HIM.
Rev 3:19-21
20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
IN THE SUMMER OF ‘73 I WENT TO LONDON, ENGLAND FOR MOST OF THE SUMMER. IN ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL THERE’S AN ORIGINAL PAINTING OF THIS PICTURE. JESUS STANDING BY THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART KNOCKING. BUT THE INTERESTING THING IN THIS PAINTING IS THAT THERE’S ONLY ONE DOOR HANDLE AND ITS ON THE INSIDE CAUSE YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN OPEN THE DOOR OF YOUR HEART TO GOD BY WAY OF PRAYER, ASKING OR CONFESSION. SO WITH THE HEART YOU BELIEVE AND WITH THE MOUTH CONFESSION IS MADE AND YOU’RE SAVED.
James 3:4-5
4Or 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. 5Likewise the tongue is a small
part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
WHAT THE RUDDER IS TO A SHIP THE TONGUE IS TO MY LIFE. THE RIGHT USE OF THE TONGUE OR THE RIGHT USE OF A RUDDER DETERMINES THE SUCCESS OF THAT BOAT OR MY LIFE. WHEN THE CAPTAIN OF A SHIP COMES INTO THE HARBOR FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY HE IS NOT ALLOWED TO BIRTH THE SHIP. HE DOESN’T KNOW THE WATER, HE DOESN’T KNOW THE SAND BARS AND HE DOESN’T KNOW THE CURRENT. SO BY LAW, THE CAPTAIN MUST TAKE ON A PILOT TO STEER HIM SAFELY INTO THE HARBOR. THAT PILOT KNOWS THE CURRENTS, THE SAND BARS, THE DEPTHS AND THE CHANNEL AND HE ALONE IS ALLOWED TO BIRTH THAT SHIP. NOW OUR PILOT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT CAUSE THE SCRIPTURE SAYS HE WILL GUIDE US INTO ALL TRUTH. SO THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR PILOT AND HE ALONE CAN HELP US TO USE OUR TONGUE FOR GOOD, TO HELP OTHER, TO PROMOTE OUR DESTINY AND TO GLORIFY GOD. NOW GOD SAYS THAT NO MANE CAN TAME THE TONGUE BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN BECAUSE HE WORKS IN OUR HEART AND OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS. THAT’S WHY WE MUST BE, DAILY, FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT: SPEAKING.
NOW, LET’S DO SOMETHING HERE BEFORE WE CLOSE THIS MORNING. I WANT YOU TO TRACE IN YOUR MIND ANY NEGATIVE WORDS THAT HAVE BEEN SPOKEN TO YOU OR OVER YOUR LIFE BY A PARENT, A TEACHER, A MATE OR SOME OTHER RELATION AUTHORITY IN YOUR LIFE CAUSE IT STILL HAUNTS YOU AS A POISON IN YOUR SOUL UNTIL YOU DEAL WITH IT. YOU CAN STILL HEAR IT IN YOUR MIND OR YOU CAN STILL FEEL ITS NEGATIVE POWER AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE BRINGING GREAT LIMITATIONS AND DISTRESS. THESE ARE BAD WORDS SPOKEN IN ANGER, BITTERNESS OR JUDGEMENT BUT THEY HAVE A POWER THAT CAN LIMIT YOUR FUTURE AND CONTROL YOUR LIFE. NOW GOD DOESN’T WANT YOU TO BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF A NEGATIVE WORD FROM ANYONE. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT CHRIST HAS REDEEMED US FROM A CURSE AND THE POWER OF THOSE NEGATIVE WORDS CAN BE BROKEN IN YOUR LIFE.
Gal 3:13-14
13Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
NOW HOW DO YOU BREAK ONE OF THESE SPOKEN CURSES OVER YOU LIFE. FIRST OF ALL YOU HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE CURSE AND THEN YOU MUST SPEAK AGAINST THAT CURSE IN THE NAME OF JESUS. YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE" I BREAK THIS CURSE THAT I’LL NEVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING" IN JESUS NAME. I COMMAND IT TO BE UPROOTED AND CAST OUT OF MY LIFE, MY MIND, MY MEMORY AND MY IMAGINATION, IN JESUS NAME. YOU NEED TO REJECT THAT WORD AND RENOUNCE THAT NEGATIVE WORD IN JESUS NAME! THAT’S HOW THOSE CURSES CAN BE BROKEN IN YOUR LIFE.
2 Cor 10:3-6
3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world
does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.
On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ. 6And we will be ready to punish every
act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
DON’T KID YOURSELF, WE ARE IN A WAR FOR EXCELLENCE AND SUCCESS IN OUR LIVES AND UNLESS WE DEAL WITH THE LITTLE FOXES SURELY THE VINES OF PRODUCTIVITY WILL BE FRUITLESS. THE TONGUE MUST BE TAMED IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ANY PURSUIT IN SPORTS, IN BUSINESS, IN MARRIAGE, IN RAISING A FAMILY, OR IN BUILDING A CHURCH. WHEN WE SUBMIT TO EVERY DISCIPLINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS AND EXCELLENCE.
