Peace Part 9 “Tuning the Tongue as an Instrument of Peace”

This Weeks Sermon Notes

Tuning the Tongue as an Instrument of Peace 

  

When difficult truth and loving grace work together they create the _________________ required to bring tones of _______________to conflict and ____________ to God.  ( John 1:14, Ephesians 5:15)

JAMES 3: 7-18

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

  • Our tongue is a powerful instrument that we are _____________ to control.
  • When __________ ___________ is settled in our hearts, our tongue cannot be tuned as an instrument of peace.
  • ______________________reigning in our hearts makes it possible to have a tongue that is in tune for_________________.

JAMES 1:16-21

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Listening and Doing

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

QUICK TO LISTEN –    making it a ____________.    (Proverbs 18:13)

  • ______________ _________ for them to finish before speaking.
  • Show with your _______________ __________ that you are attentive to them. 
  • See their heart and motives in a ____________ __________.
  • Ask ____________ questions, __________ back to them what they said and ___________  with them about the things that you can agree about.
  • PRAY that God will ________ __________________.
  • _________  that God’s voice in your spirit will guide you through the conversation.
  •  SLOW:  – (greek) bradooce – _______

    ……….TO SPEAK

    Be attentive to God’s word and voice rather than _______  __________       __________.

    • Plan your words using ______ statements rather than ________ statements.
    • Avoid ______________ and _________________
    • Talk from ______________ rather than from above
    • Engage  around ______________  together
    • When offering ____________________ ask for their ideas.
    • Communicate so clearly that you can’t be ________________

    When you ______________the other, you will be less likely to _______________ them. (Proverbs 20:5)

    ……… TO ANGER 

    • Keep your expectations focused on God’s ________________ rather than human ______________.
    • Recognize your _____________.  It is God who brings the insight and the change in hearts.   You are his _______________ in the orchestra, not the _______________.    

    17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.  James 3:17-18

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