Our word choices can cause strife and dissension, or they can encourage, and help the hearers. When our words are honest, thoughtful, gentle, and based on God’s Word, we can build up others in a way that honors God. Alistair Begg encourages us to consider our words carefully and to avoid empty, pithy words that offer no value to the hearer.
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,1 and set on fire by hell.2 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,3 these things ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Series: Lessons For Life, Volume 2
Other messages in: Lessons For Life, Volume 1
Young men and women entering college or taking their first steps out into the world will quickly find their faith put to the test. Contemporary influences encourage us to “live for the moment” and to “seize the day” without regard for eternal consequences. The pressure imposed by society to thrive in a competitive world can breed broken friendships, disappointments, and lure young adults away from their devotion to Christ.
Teaching from selected Scripture including Psalms, Proverbs, Timothy and James, Alistair Begg speaks to college student audiences about holding firm to Christian convictions. Lessons For Life offers practical, essential teaching on how to resist the destructive traps of laziness, jealousy, and temptation. Using biblical and often humorous anecdotes, this series helps the young and the young at heart steer through the pitfalls of sinful choices and attitudes.
Other messages in: Lessons For Life, Volume 2
Young men and women entering college or taking their first steps out into the world will quickly find their faith put to the test. Contemporary influences encourage us to “live for the moment” and to “seize the day” without regard for eternal consequences. The pressure imposed by society to thrive in a competitive world can breed broken friendships, disappointments, and lure young adults away from their devotion to Christ.
Teaching from selected Scriptures, Alistair Begg speaks to college student audiences about characteristics that mark the life of a Christian. Volume Two of Lessons for Life offers practical, essential teaching on living with humility, personal holiness, the use and abuse of words, and thinking like Christ. Using biblical and often humorous anecdotes, this series helps the young and the young at heart steer through the pitfalls of sinful choices and attitudes.
Other messages in: Lessons For Life, Volume 3
In this series of messages, Alistair Begg takes a closer look at God’s providential care and the Christian’s appropriate response. We are reminded that God is sovereign over our entire existence and that our lives matter to Him. He uses even our mistakes and disappointments in the process of conforming us to the image of His Son.
While the Lord does not reveal His purposes to us in advance, our security is in knowing that we are in the hands of a loving, compassionate God. As a result, the Christian’s perspective on current issues will be drastically different from the contemporary views of society, but we are called to wholehearted devotion and complete submission to God’s will.
Other messages in: Lessons For Life, Volume 4
Young men and women entering college or taking their first steps out into the world will quickly find their faith put to the test. Contemporary influences encourage us to “live for the moment” and to “seize the day” without regard for eternal consequences. The pressure imposed by society to thrive in a competitive world can breed broken friendships, heighten disappointments, and lure young adults away from their devotion to Christ.
In Lessons For Life, Alistair Begg challenges us to pursue a different road, casting a vision for a life well-used for God and His glory. Along this path of wholehearted commitment to Christ and His kingdom, lives are transformed. Our work takes on new meaning. Our relationships are enriched by humility and grace. Our hearts are strengthened to endure hardship and persevere in the faith as we trust in the providential care of the One who has made us for His pleasure.
