WHEN THE TONGUE IS NOT TIED    

James 3: 1-12

I. The Tongue Can Be Used For Good And Bad
   A. Policemen use their guns very wisely
   B. Drugs can save or destroy lives
   C. Death and life is in the power of the tongue - Prov. 18:21
   D. Some of use suffer from HARD - Hit And Run Mouth

II. Warnings About The Tongue
   A. Teachers are encouraged to teach but be so careful with their words
because of their influence - vs. 1
   B. The use of our tongue is a measure of our maturity or lack of
maturity - vs. 2

III. Five Word Pictures About The Tongue
   A. Bits in horses mouths - vs. 3
      i) huge horses may be led by a tiny bit
   B. Rudder of a ship - vs. 4
      i) huge ships can be steered by a small rudder
   C. Giant fires can be started by a tiny spark - vs. 5-6
   D. Small things like the tongue can have huge impacts on our lives
      i) lifelong relationships can be ended with one fiery exchange
      ii) the right words at the right time can change peoples lives for good
   E. Animal trainer - vs. 7
      i) every animal can be trained but we cannot " tame " the tongue
      ii) wild animals can be tamed but still have to be watched - the same
s with the tongue
   F. Tongue is full of poison - vs. 8
      i) word means arrow
      ii) Their words are smoother than butter but war is in their hearts - Ps. 55:1
      iii) poison can be gossip or false flattery

IV. Conclusions
   A. Some  bless God and curse man  but this is like sweet and bitter
water coming from the same spring - vs. 9- 10
   B. Improper use of the tongue
      i) profanity
      ii) speaking critical of others
      iii) complaining
   C. Proper use of the tongue
      i) pray to the Lord
      ii) praising and thanking the Lord
      iii) encouraging others
      iv) telling the story of our Lord
   D. Our words will judge us in the judgment