Authority In Action

Taming the tongue

Main Point: Discuss the importance of taking authority over the things we say. Over the past couple of weeks, we have been discussing the authority God has given us as His dear children. We have been given the authority to be the representatives of Christ in the earth and to make the kingdom of God known through the preaching of the Gospel. We have also received power from the Holy Spirit to perform miracles (healing the sick, casting out devils, etc.) that demonstrate Gods will and His Kingdom in the earth. Now, lets begin talking about practical application of this authority we have been given. _____________ 18:21 Says:

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
Questions 1. How often do you think about what you say before you say it? 2. If you knew that the very next word out of your mouth would either cause you to live or die, how would that change the way you thought about what you say? Obviously, the things we say are a very big deal and our words are in direct relation to the authority we walk in on the earth. James 3:9-10 Says:
9 With

the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in Gods likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
3. The above scripture is what the untamed tongue looks like. Can a person walk in the authority God has given them when their speech is like this? Why or why not? 4. Do you find it hard at times to control your words? 5. Read James 3:7-8 Is it possible for any man to tame their tongue on their own?

So, how does one tame the tongue? Lets look at how our master and perfect example did it.

____________ 5:19 Says: 19 So Jesus explained, I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. In John 8:28 Jesus says: I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. 6. How did Jesus keep his tongue under control? 7. Did he do it on His own? Can we do it on our own? The things we say out of our mouths will either activate or deactivate the authority God has given us. When you come across a person dealing with the flu, will you tell them how sick they look or will you speak to the fever like Jesus did (Luke 4:38-39) and rebuke it with authority? I challenge you to use your words to activate the authority and power of God in the earth!