Watch Your Mouth and Walk in Wisdom
(James 3:1-18)
Sermon Notes
The Problems of the Tongue (7-12)
- It cannot be tamed by human efforts (7-8)
- It does not remain consistent (9-12)
- Blesses God (speaks well of); Curses those made in His image
- Curse others through gossip (speaking behind one’s back what you won’t say to one’s face)
- Curse others through flattery (speaking to one’s face what you won’t say behind one’s back)
- Curse others through criticism (harsh judgment)
- Curse others through written communications (emails, text messages, social media)
HOW DO I WATCH MY MOUTH?
I seek to have my heart cleansed continually
- Ps 19:12-14
- Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!
I ask God to keep my mouth under conrol
- Ps 141:3-4 NLT
I do my part to corral my words (an enclosure formed to avoid seizure)
- 34:12-13
- 21:23
WALK IN WISDOM
The tongue is contained in a cage of teeth and lips, but it still escapes. It is not intelligence that keeps the lock on that cage; it is wisdom – a wisdom that is characterized by humility, grace, and peace.
Definitive Question (v. 13)
- Wise – #4680 sophos – moral insight and skill in the practical issues of life.
- Understanding – #1990 epistemon – intellectual perception and knowledge
- Meekness – #4240 prautes – humility
- The person who is truly wise is humble.
Demonic Wisdom (v. 14-16)
- Bitter envy – piercing jealousy (Prov. 14:30 – A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.)
- Self-seeking – selfish ambition
- The person who is truly wise is gracious and giving.
Divine Wisdom (v. 17-18)
- Pure – clean, innocent
- Peaceable – at one in quiet rest
- Gentle – appropriate, moderate
- Willing to yield – good for persuasion; compliant
- Full of mercy – abundant compassion
- Without partiality –
- Without hypocrisy – not “two faced”
- The person who is truly wise is at peace
HOW DO I WALK IN WISDOM? (Eph. 5:15-20)
Circumspectly = as through thorny terrain (exercise care so as not to negatively impact family or church by everyday decisions)
Redeem the time = make the most of every opportunity
Know God’s will (Ex. “If you could only have one thing from God, what would it be?)
Be Spirit-filled = yield to the leadership and control of the Holy Spirit
Speak the Word = have a positive confession and a grateful attitude
