“The Tongue (As it is Addressed in the Book of Proverbs)”

Small Group Lesson                      March 23, 2014

(Outline of this lesson is from Lifeway's Explore the Bible Series. Questions are my own.) 

Introduction:  God’s own words are able to perform great tasks. He spoke the universe into existence. When He speaks, legions of angels are able to spring into action to carry out His every command. His words never “return void, but will always accomplish the purpose for which [He sends] them out” (Isaiah 55: 11). His words bring eternal life, wisdom, healing, comfort, reproof and correction to us, but also judgment to the wicked and unbelievers. Jesus is, Himself, “the [very] Word made flesh.”  We need His words continually to maintain our spiritual lives:  “…man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8: 3). Also, the Word of God is "living and active...discerning the thoughts and intents of [our] hearts" Hebrews 4: 12). Psalm 119 is entirely about the necessity of the Word to our spiritual lives.

Because we are created in His image, our words, also, are vitally important and powerful, either for good or for evil. We can destroy another person’s self-image, hope or happiness with our words.  We can deceive, mislead or cause another person to lose faith. On the other hand, we can encourage, build-up or counsel another person for good. With our words we can become followers of Christ or invoke God’s aid or guidance.  A few words can begin a war or conflict or bring about peace, unite two people in matrimony or dissolve a marriage, make a life-long enemy or begin a life-long friendship, seal a business deal or cause a lawsuit or criminal proceeding, cause a multitude to panic or restore peace, destroy or tear down another person’s public reputation and start a vicious rumor or rescue a person from slander. In short, our words are NEVER without consequence, and God holds us directly accountable for our words: “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned [judged] (Matthew 12:37). Judging from the volume and content of scripture devoted to this topic, our words are a really big deal to God. He even tells us that our religion is worthless if we (habitually) fail to control our tongues. “This is especially true when we are under stress” (Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man, 142). One reason this is reasonable on God’s part is that our words reveal what is in our hearts, and God looks upon our hearts to judge us (Matthew 12:33-34). Psalm 15: 1—2 also connects our hearts with our words.

I.   Recognize the Power of Words    (Proverbs 18: 19—21; also, read James 1:26, 3:1—12 and 4:11)

(Illustration of the Boxer Rebellion in China.)

(Just be thinking about these questions for the time being. We will return to them in a moment.)

1.  Think of a time when you were wounded, deceived or discouraged by someone’s words.

 

2.  Think of a time when you were encouraged, comforted or given needed direction by someone’s words.

 

3.  Which of your own words have you come to regret? When have your own words accomplished great good?

 

II.  Think Before You Speak (or Write/ Tweet)  (Proverbs 17:27—28 21:23; also Ephesians 4:29, I Peter 3: 8—9, Colossians  4:6, Psalm 141: 3)

1.  How might this admonition be especially important in a digital age?

 

2.  What is the standard set by Ephesians 4: 29 for thinking before speaking?

3.  How might the Holy Spirit be involved in this?

 

III.  Guard Against Gossip   (Proverbs 11:13; 26:20—24)

1.  What is the definition of gossip? What is the distinction between gossip and “sharing concerns about other people”?

2.  How should we react when someone approaches us with gossip?

3. How might it be possible to spread gossip using non-verbal forms of communication, such as innuendo?

4.  What negative effects does gossip have upon the purveyors, the victims, non-believers and the body of Christ?

5.  How can we shut it down?

 

IV.  Guard Against Falsehood   (Proverbs 10:18—19; 12:17—19)

1.  How is slander falsehood?

2.  What is duplicity?

3.  What is integrity?  What are some common provocations for compromising our integrity with our words?

4.  Might insincere flattery be lying?

 

V.   Use Words to Help and to Heal (and be Open to Correction)   (Proverbs 25: 11-13, 31: 8—9)

1.  When does Biblical admonishment become contention?  (Romans 15: 13—16)

2.  When is it sin NOT to speak up?  How is the concept of “Social Justice” misused in today’s Christian culture?

                a.  False means of salvation

                b.  Social justice vs. egalitarianism and “when helping hurts”; the “radical” fallacy

3.  Might healing involve wounding?  (Proverbs 27: 6; James 5: 19—20)

                               

(1)  Ask God to cauterize our lips   (Isaiah 6: 1—8)

Conclusion:        (2)  Maintain on-going prayerfulness                      (From Kent Hughes)

                                (3)  Resolve to discipline ourselves