CHRISTIAN CONVERSATION
May 4, 2021
A. Starting point: 1 Tim. 2:1-6

B. Praying from: JAMES 3

DISCOURSE ON THE TONGUE
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
POWER OF EVIL SPEECH
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
THE UNGOVERNABLE TONGUE
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
WORLDLY AND HEAVENLY WISDOM
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”

I. THE CONDEMNATION—vv. 1–2
DISCOURSE ON THE TONGUE
1. Criticism—v. 1. It is a dangerous thing to criticize others. Live right before God.
2. Complaint—v. 2. If we control our tongue, then our whole life will be under control.
II. THE CONTROL—vv. 3–8
1. Control—vv. 3–4. Horses and boats are controlled.
POWER OF EVIL SPEECH
2. Confusion—v. 5. The small tongue can start a big fire. Arguments, misunderstandings, hate, divorce, etc. are brought about by using the tongue wrongly.
3. Chaos—v. 6. A sinful tongue defiles the body.
THE UNGOVERNABLE TONGUE
4. Condemnation—vv. 7–8. Animals controlled by man, but he cannot control his small tongue.
III. THE CLEANSING—vv. 9–12
1. Peril—v. 9. Can the same tongue praise God and curse Him? This is not Christianity!
2. Purging—vv. 10–12. No one can be a Christian and have all the fruits of a sinner.
IV. THE CONVERSATION—vv. 13–14
1. Living—v. 13. Show your Christianity with wisdom, meekness and good conversation.
2. Lying—v. 14. Never lie! Note these three words: bitterness, envy and strife.
V. THE CONSECRATION—vv. 15–18
WORLDLY AND HEAVENLY WISDOM
1. Devilish wisdom—vv. 15–16. This wisdom is earthly, sensual, devilish. This is of Satan.
2. Divine wisdom—vv. 17–18. Eight-fold: pure, peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of mercy, full of good fruits, without partiality, sincere.
When we live righteously before God, we will have these fruits of righteousness.
VI. THE A-MEN OF ROMANS 16:20, 24, 27
16:20 “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. A-men.”
16:24 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. A-men.”
16:27 “To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. A-men.”