Can words hurt? | September 28, 2026

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Let’s Find Out Together 6 min 2 speakers 7 chapters transcribed 1 hour ago

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What does James say about the power and danger of the tongue?

Randy Spacht 0:00

Today is September the twenty eighth. Ten words? Hmm. Let's see what James says. We'll read James three, the first twelve verses. Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will fake stricter judgment. for all of us who make many mistakes. Any one who makes no mistakes in speaking is mature, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships, though they're so large and driven by strong winds, yet they're guided by a very small rudder, Wherever the will of the Pilate directs, so also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

Randy Spacht 0:53

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

How do the horse‑bit, ship‑rudder, and forest‑fire images illustrate tongue control?

Randy Spacht 0:58

The tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity. It stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life. and is itself set on fire by hell, for every species of beast and bird of reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed. By the human species. But no one can tame the tongue. A restless evil full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it. We curse people made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and breakish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives or a grapevine figs?

Why does James compare the tongue to a spring that can’t produce both fresh and salty water?

Randy Spacht 2:01

No more can salt water yield fresh. This sermon is has to do with the tongue. Now James starts by saying that uh not many of us should want to become teachers. Probably. by volition, choose to become a teacher. The reason is that the teacher uses the tongue, and the tongue is a source of stricter judgment And stumbling. The word for stumbling. That's used here in the rest of the New Testament. implies a falling away.

What wisdom does Proverbs 18 offer about the tongue’s influence on relationships?

Randy Spacht 2:44

He uses three similes, a bit in the mouth of a horse, a rudder on a ship, and a small flame that produces a forest fire. He says that's what the tongue is like. It's small and But it needs to be tamed. The tongue produces blessing and curse. A spring can't give both fresh and salt water. A fig tree and a grapevine doesn't produce fruit of another source. James has really Nothing good to say about the tongue. Solomon qualifies that. He says that the tongue of a fool has nothing good about it. Let's read Proverbs eighteen. There are twenty four verses there. many of them talk about tongue or words.

Emily Herrera 3:42

The one who lives alone is self indulgent, showing contempt for all who have sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing personal opinion.

How do the Proverbs describe the tongue’s role in causing strife and delivering truth?

Emily Herrera 3:53

When wickedness comes contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace. The words of the mouth are deep waters, the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream. It is not right to be partial to the guilty or subvert the innocent in judgment. A fool's lips bring strife, and a fool's mouth invites a flogging. The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips seem to be snare to themselves. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels. They go down into the inner parts of the body. One who is slack in work is close kin to a vandal. The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it, and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their strong city. In their imagination it is like a high wall,

Emily Herrera 4:42

Before destruction one's heart is haughty, but humility goes before honor. If one gives answer before hearing it is folly and shame. The human spirit will endure sickness, but a broken spirit who can bear?

What practical steps does the host suggest for taming our words today?

Emily Herrera 4:57

An intelligent mind inquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge, and A gift opens doors, it gives access to the great. The one who first states a case seems right until the other comes and cross examines. Casting the lot puts an end to disputes, and decides between powerful contenders. An ally offended is stronger than a city, such quarrelling is like the bars of a castle. From the fruit of the mouth one's stomach is filled. is satisfied, the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.