Sunday, 5/17/2026

Brush Your Tongues

“The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use.” Washington Irving

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” C.S. Lewis

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” Truth

as a Christian: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words are

powerful weapons that can inspire or destroy someone.”

Cherokee Parable: There are two wolves fighting inside: one of darkness and

despair, the other of light and hope. Which wolf wins? “The one you feed.”

Words can build up or tear down.

Proverbs 21:23 (CSB) The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps

himself out of trouble.

James 3:8-12 “No human being can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil,

full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes

it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and

cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters,

this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and

bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No,

and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”

Matthew 19:26 “Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it

is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

The tongue is tamed by partnering with the Holy Spirit, not by willpower

alone.

Matt 12:33-34 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree

bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit…For out of the

abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”

Prov 12:18 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the

wise brings healing”

Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to

talk will reap the consequences.

James 3:5-6 (NLT) In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes

grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue

is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire

body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

Ephesians 4:29 (John’s Paraphrase) Stop letting any rotten, unfit, tearing-

down words fly out of your mouth. Instead, let only those words which are

good for building others up according to their need at the time be spoken, so

that grace is given to those who hear you.

Psalms 141:3 (NLT) 3 Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips. 

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every

way more and more like Christ.

Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT) “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the

Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,

leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person.

Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”

Main Applications & Practical Steps

Our words shape:

Our children’s self-esteem, sexuality, dreams, and potential

The destiny of other people

Our relationships (marriage, parenting, church)

Two Primary Questions Before Speaking:

What does he/she need right now?

How can I build them up as a result?

Practical Steps to Become a People-Builder:

Be quick to hear and slow/thoughtful before speaking

Verbally affirm others often

Lay the law down sparingly (avoid “How many times have I told you…”)

Thank those you love specifically

Brag on them publicly

Daily Spiritual Exercise: Every time you brush your teeth → Brush your

tongue and pray Ephesians 4:29. “Lord, help me stop rotten, tearing-down

words. Help me speak only words that build others up according to their need,

so that grace may be given to those who hear.”

Are you a burner or a builder?