SetApart1

Have you ever considered all of the commands in Scripture related to how we use our mouths and the potential damage they can do?  Or do you fall into the trap of pointing out more “respectable sins” in other Christians as Jerry Bridges calls them like adultery, fornication, murder and controversial practices like smoking and drinking?  The Bible is filled with commands to not sin with our mouths.  For instance, we are commanded to refrain from speaking evil against one another (James 4:11), and from gossip and slander (2 Cor 12:20) as well as speak the truth and put away falsehood (Eph 4:25). Isn’t it interesting that many of the sins Christians fall prey to THEY COMMITT WITH THEIR MOUTHS!!

This especially hits home for those of us who have been Christians for a long time and who may not committ less “respectable sins” that other people committ and who think we have it together yet we speak evil about others in the church whether it be our leaders or someone we don’t like.  Its real easy to committ respectable sins isn’t it?  We hide behind our postion at church, we put on a mask in front of people yet we tear down our brothers and sisters who Christ died for.  Brothers and sisters may this not be!!  If you want to read a devastating critique of the our tongues then read James 3:1-12.

The idea of sinning with our mouths is made even more clear in the book of Proverbs and I like the way the New Living Translation puts it, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”  Are you quick to listen and slow to speak?  Are you considered by others to be a talker instead of a listener? But the problem runs even deeper and is illustrated by Jesus when He says,  ¹⁸But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:18-20.  What Jesus is teaching us is that is what we say comes from our hearts and reveals that our hearts are wicked (Jer 17:9-10) and we need the transforming power of the Gospel to free us and transform us and this only comes from looking to Christs work on the cross and appropriating Gospel power and grace to our lives and we will touch on more of this later.  The Pharisees thought that by abstaining from certain foods they could be made right in the sight of God.  Their religion was an external religion while what we really need (and what they needed) is an internal transformation from the inside out!!  How does this transformation take place?  What is the positive side to this topic?  We will explore this further next time.

Popularity: 35% [?]