{"id":2328,"date":"2011-09-19T09:17:55","date_gmt":"2011-09-19T13:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.fbclafayette.org\/?p=2328"},"modified":"2014-07-21T10:16:17","modified_gmt":"2014-07-21T14:16:17","slug":"the-tongue-how-to-discipline-a-fire-part-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.faithlafayette.org\/church\/the-tongue-how-to-discipline-a-fire-part-3\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tongue: How to Discipline a Fire (Part 3)"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve already been reminded that controlling the tongue is a true test of one\u2019s spirituality<\/a>! So how spiritual have you been in the last few weeks or the last few days? Our words reveal our heart, and sometimes our words reveal a heart that is not very pleasing to God. We have to recognize the destructive uses of the tongue<\/a> and avoid sinning against God and others. The tongue, though it is cursed by sin, is not inherently evil. It can be used to glorify God and build people up, or it can be used to curse God and tear people apart.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Miss the Point of What James Wrote<\/h2>\n

In a very descriptive manner, James presents some very destructive consequences of not disciplining the tongue. James 3:6 says, “And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”<\/p>\n

Kent Hughes, in Disciplines of a Godly Man<\/a>, made a very truthful statement that should get all of our attention: \u201cThe uncontrolled tongue has a direct pipeline to Hell! Fueled by Hell, it burns our lives with its filthy fires.\u201d James 3:10 makes it clear: “From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.” However, there is still hope for change.<\/p>\n

The first step is solving a problem is to realize you have one. The next step is to apply the principle of 1 John 1:9 which says: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So once I\u2019ve repented and confessed my sin, what do I do next? What does this process of growth look like on a daily basis?<\/p>\n

Principle #3: Replace the Destructive Tongue with a Disciplined Tongue<\/h2>\n

In order to change, a person has to put off sinful habits (destructive uses) and then put on principle oriented living–allowing the truth of God\u2019s Word to control our thoughts and actions instead of our sin-cursed feelings and thinking. So the question is: How does a person change & grow in the use of their tongue?<\/p>\n

Put On: The power of proclaiming the life-changing message of the Gospel<\/h3>\n

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If we were more preoccupied with proclaiming the Gospel, we would have a lot less time to be critical and fuss about circumstances and people.<\/p>\n<\/div>Paul wrote a very challenging but also very encouraging verse in Romans 1:16. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. If we were more preoccupied with proclaiming the Gospel, we would have a lot less time to be critical and fuss about circumstances or people.<\/p>\n

The responsibility and privilege of spreading the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ belongs to us. Paul made that clear in 2 Corinthians 5:20. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Do you know why some people are so critical? It\u2019s because they look at life through their eyes instead of the eyes of Christ. They don\u2019t think and live a Cross-centered life. The tongue should be used to proclaim the greatest story about the greatest Person! If we practiced this on a daily basis, we can learn to control the destructive fire of the tongue and will be less prone to sin with that tongue.<\/p>\n

Put On: The power of worship<\/h3>\n

Because of God\u2019s grace, we have the ability to ascribe to God proper worth-ship \u2013 in His character (Who He is) and His Works (what He\u2019s done and will do). Here are a few verses to think about:<\/p>\n