Don’t Stumble Over Your Mouth

Series: Beware of the Little Things 9/15/13
We all stumble in many ways, but one of our greatest challenges is our tongue. Who of us, in the heat of the moment, has not said something that we immediately wished we could take back? Our problem with the tongue is multifaceted. It is not just angry words. It is prideful words, malicious words (ie: gossip, slander, condemnation, judgement, criticism, sarcasm), and hurtful and unkind words that reject, depreciate, or put others down.

Is it any wonder that the wisdom writer says “When words are many, sin is not lacking” (Prov 10:19). There is so much opportunity to sin with our tongue every day. In fact, research indicates that we spend approximately 1/5 of our life talking (approx. 15 years). Someone has said that each day the average person fills a 50 page book with their words. That’s a lot of talking and a lot of opportunity for sin. This is why James’ teaching on the tongues is so very important for everyone of us today.