FaithFULL Living: Taming the Tongue

A quick version of our lesson with questions and thoughts to carry on the lesson at home:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faithfull.Living.%20James.6.doc


The full version of our lesson:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2372651/MS.Lessons/Faith%20FULL%20Living%206.How%20to%20Tame%20the%20Tongue.pdf


Last Monday night Velocity went through our sixth lesson in our series called FaithFULL Living. We went over James 3:1-12 about how and why we are to tame the tongue. Ironically the kids were the most chatty we could remember for some time!

That being said it was definitely a hard hitting lesson as James really extorted us to control what we say for we will be judged by what we say. Just as a tiny spark can start a whole fire so too can the tongue be a flame to a fire that can set our whole life on fire! James calls the tongue restless, evil and full of deadly poison.
But it can also be used to bless and praise our Lord and Savior.

So how do we make sure that our tongue is a blessing to God and others rather than a curse?

If you want to tame your tongue as I do then let me encourage you to think about some speech therapy. Before you speak something that may be harmful ask yourself these five questions:

First, IS IT TRUE? Is what you’re going to speak the truth? If not, STOP.
If it is, second, IS IT NECESSARY? Jesus said you’re going to be judged for every careless word. Bite your tongue more often. There are so many things that we say that are not necessary.
Third, IS IT BENEFICIAL? Is what you’re going to say going to build someone up or tear them down? Is going to
do good or is going to hurt someone?
Fourth, ask yourself, DO I HAVE PERMISSION TO SHARE IT? I’m sure you all know people
who you consider friends who you can tell anything to, because
you know it will stop there. But we also all know people who are the first to spread that news all over town. Before you speak think about what kind of friend you’re being.
Finally, ask yourself, IS MY MOTIVE PURE? Why are you saying what you’re saying? Most of the time our gossip is for selfish purposes. We want something to talk about. We want others to think we’re
important. Do you know that need you have to gossip, it comes from sin. Give it up.