Haven't we all said something we wish we never did? Something that was a lie, something that hurt someone.

James 3:2-10

James says that the man who can control his tongue is a mature man. Since we know Jesus was perfect that tells us he must of had full control of his tounge

John 8:3-12

Time with woman in adulty. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. What could he have said different. Why did he control his tounge

James 1:26

Let no corrupt communication (eph 4:29)

There is a form of corrupt speech that we all fall into at one time or another. The put down. Belittling someone else with words. Hey stupid, he is so dumb, what a dope. What does this do? exaults ourself over someone else. Is it biblical? Look at Phil2:3-4

A lot of people with fall into this trap of the tongue in marriage and child rearing. I am better than you. To a young child we are like superheros, then we put them down.

What are we told to do? Eph 4:15 and Eph 4:29B

Christ spoke the "truth in love" to the Mat 23 pharasees. He did not speak to them in a belittling way. He spoke in a corrective way. Even though he called them fools it was not to belittle them but to encourage them to look at themselves to see how empty they were inside.

Belittleing - 3rd commandment Don't take God's name in vain. Don't belittle God or the things of God. I John 4:4 says if they claim to love God, but don't show love to their neighbor they are a liar
"I would never belittle God, yet the neighbor gets it."

God will call into account every idle word spoken - when? day of judgement (Mat.12:36) when is a christian time of judgement. right now

Let's take a look at a few proverbs on the subject of the tongue

Pr 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Pr 15:4 -A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

Pr 12:18 -There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Pr 12:19 - The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Pr 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

What proceeds out of a man defiles him Mark 7:20-23

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
garbage in, garbage out. Phil 4:8 in, Phil 4:8 out

How to tame the tongue. Besides Phil 4:8

Ps. 34:13-14

Col.3:2

James 4:7-8