This morning I preached on the need for us to control our tongues. Jubilee Church has made the audio available to download. I thought I would share with you the outline I preached from:

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KEY VERSE

Prov 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

See also James 3:1-12: “…the tongue is a fire …”

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1. DON'T SAY TOO MUCH

Prov 10:19
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Prov 29:20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Prov 18:13
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Prov 18:6
A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.

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2. DON'T SAY TOO LITTLE

Prov 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Prov 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Prov 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Prov 15:23
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Prov 22:11
He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

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3. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING

Prov 2:12

. . . delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech . . .

Prov 4:24
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.

Prov 26:28
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Prov 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Prov 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Prov 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Prov 19:11
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

See also 1 Samuel 25: David, Nabal, and Abigail.

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4. THINK ABOUT WHO YOU ARE SPEAKING TO

Prov 17:4
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.

Prov 18:8
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Prov 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Prov 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.

Prov 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Prov 9:8
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

See also Luke 8:31-2: And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."