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““Holding Your Tongue Holding Your Tongue Without Losing Your Without Losing Your

Head”Head”

“When words are many, sin is not absent,

but he who holds his Tongue is wise”

(Proverbs 10:19)

• “I want to make sure everybody who has a job wants a job” –George Bush during his first Presidential campaign

• “I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy. But that could change.” –Dan Quayle

• “My fellow Americans, I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”—Ronald Reagan, about to go on the air for a radio broadcast, unaware that the microphone was already on.

A Study from the Book of Proverbs . . .

(1) Know that Your Tongue is Powerful and Dangerous

• “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19)

• “ . . . A gentle tongue can break a bone” (Proverbs 25:15)

• “Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own” (Proverbs 26:17)

• “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control” (Proverbs 29:11)

• On a Friday evening, just as the light turned On a Friday evening, just as the light turned green, his car stalled. All his efforts to start green, his car stalled. All his efforts to start it again, failed. A chorus of honking it again, failed. A chorus of honking instantly arose from the cars behind him.instantly arose from the cars behind him.

• Feeling as frustrated as everyone else Feeling as frustrated as everyone else eager to get home for the weekend, he eager to get home for the weekend, he finally got out of his car and walked to the finally got out of his car and walked to the car behind him.car behind him.

• He waited for the driver to roll He waited for the driver to roll down his window, then said, “I’m down his window, then said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t seem to get my sorry, but I can’t seem to get my car started. If you’ll go up there car started. If you’ll go up there and give it a try, I’ll stay here and give it a try, I’ll stay here and blow your horn for you.”and blow your horn for you.”

(2) Refrain from Using Your Tongue to Gossip

• “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret” (Proverbs 11:13)

• “A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19)

• “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down” (Proverbs 26:20)

(3) Restrain Your Tongue in Order to be a Better Listener

• “A Prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly” (Proverbs 12:23)

• “A man uses knowledge with restraint . . .” (Proverbs 17:27)

• “He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame” (Proverbs 18:13)

• “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 29:20)

(4) Choose Words and Use Words Carefully and

Thoughtfully• “A Gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1)

• “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:28)

• “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity” (Proverbs 21:23)

(5) Use Your Tongue in order to Encourage Others

• “ . . . How good is a timely word!” (Proverbs 15:23)

• “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth, someone else, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2)

Review . . . 1. Know that Your Tongue is Powerful

and Dangerous2. Refrain from using Your Tongue to

Gossip3. Restrain Your Tongue in order to be

a Better Listener4. Choose Words and Use Words

Carefully and Thoughtfully5. Use Your Tongue in to Encourage

Others

Does all of this sound impossible?

James 3:7-8 . . .

• For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

• But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

• “No MAN can tame the tongue . . .” • But GOD Can!• Each day ask God to help you . . . • Pray, “Dear God, Please guard my tongue and

guide my speech. Let me say only things that encourage others and glorify You.”