POWER OF THE TONGUE

INTRO    Imagine a weapon so powerful that it makes the atom bomb look like a toy!  This weapon has the potential to literally bring anguish into the life of every human being on the planet ... but without necessarily destroying them physically.  This weapon could however, produce scars that last a lifetime ... scars that may never heal properly.  This weapon is available to the poorest as well as the richest of nations ... in fact, even individuals have access to this weapon ... there are few laws against the possession or use of this weapon.  No weapon that now exists, or will exist, will have the deadly potential of this ancient weapon ... it is as old as man himself ... the weapon is THE TONGUE!

PROP    The Bible teaches us that our tongue has great power ... to heal or to destroy, to bless or to curse ... we are to be wise in the use of this member of our body ... it can bring pain or pleasure ... it's all in how it is used!

I.   TONGUE'S POWER    James 3:1-5; 5:16

A. HISTORICAL    James 3:1

1.   Speech is an awesome and powerful ability ... it is in this sense that James cautions those who would desire to be a speaker ... or a teacher.

a.   Words can have such great power, for this reason there comes with speech great responsibilities!

b.   Those who speak to others will be held to a higher accountability by God!

2.   Why such a warning ... how can language be so powerful as to warrant this warning?

a.   Think about history and some of the great movements of this planet:

(1.   Nebuchadnezzar boasted with words on how wonderful and strong he was ... he became like an animal for 7 years from such boastful words!

(2.   Alexander the Great spoke such bold words also ... and almost conquered the world ... yet he died a young man.

(3.   Napoleon Bonaparte motivated great armies ... but lost in the end.

(4.   Hitler mesmerized an entire people by his speeches ... and convinced huge crowds to commit horrible crimes against humanity!

(5.   Winston Churchill inspired a ravaged Britton to keep fighting ... until victory!

(6.   John F. Kennedy moved the USA by his speeches and vision!

(7.   No words have moved this planet however like the LIVING WORD ...THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH   ... this truly speaks of the power of the tongue!  JESUS CHRIST revolutionized the human race with the power of His tongue, His very existence was the Word of God made flesh!

b.   Most of the great events of history are connected to the speech of small and great men and women!

3.   History is full of the realities of the power of tongue!