SCHOOL OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

SERIES ON – CONTROL OF THE TONGUE JAN 2008

Week 2 10th February 2008

TOPIC: DANGERS OF SPEAKING TOO MUCH ECC 3:7

Aim: as stated in previous outline – the story of Joseph

As Christians, we have to learn to control our tongue if not we can be likened to a drunkard who has a loose tongue that says everything he sees and hears. This is why people don't respect or become friends with drunkards – they reveal secrets and pour out foolishness in their talking too much. Ecc. 3:7-8 says “A time to keep silence and a time to speak.”

An uncontrollable tongue is very dangerous and has many disadvantages from which we'll discuss a few viz:

•  Uncontrollable tongue destroys love and friendship because it breaks down trust

•  In Prov. 18:21 it says “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”. With the tongue uncontrollable, you can destroy or erode someone's confidence, set families and communities against each other, or even nations on a war path. With a loose tongue you can cause someone to commit suicide if he/she is so pained and he feels cannot face his loved ones.

•  An uncontrollable tongue can make you destroy the works of your own hand – Ecc. 5:26 your lack of control over your tongue can make you tear down the integrity, image, respect that you have spent years to build in a matter of seconds.

In conclusion, remember that once words have been spoken, you cannot take or swallow them back. This is why James 1:19 says we should be “slow to speak and slow to anger. Pro 10:19:13 says “ he that refraineth his lips (tongue) is wise”. Be wise because you will give account of every idle word spoken, on judgment ay.

Week 3: 17th February 2008

TOPIC: TALE-BEARING IN CHURCH, FAMILY AND WORK PLACE

Aim: As previously stated

The dictionary defines a TALE as a malicious piece of gossip. A tale-bearer therefore is a gossiper who (without being sent) spreads around both true and false information about persons, church, family groups etc.

•  TALE BEARING IN THE CHURCH :- False tale bearing in the church is usually very destructive and deadly because a church is a gathering of people from different background, mindset, different emotional and faith level and so many can easily be manipulated with false tales

This is why false Pastors who break away from their spiritual father through false tale-bearing often have many converts leaving the church with them. Also bearing false about a member can easily make the aggrieved member leave the church.

In the church, we should be testified and edifiers who help to build and improve people's lives. Gossiping shows lack of faith in Christianity, lack of faith and trust for your Pastor or Bishop and lastly it is a war against Christ and His church

•  TALE BEARING IN FAMILY :- Tale bearing in the family destroys love, trust, friendship and encourages sibling rivalry and quarreling and in the same cases fighting. Parents should do everything possible to change the character of any child you engages in gossip.

•  Tale bearing at workplace:- Tale bearing in the workplace is usually done out of jealousy and envy in order to pull down their victims or more still make their victims fall out of favour with their boss.

Our Bishop has always said that “every lie has an expiry date” and when your lie is found out you will loose your respect, confidence and pride and you will be labeled a LIAR. And the Bible says all liars shall burn in Hell.

Week 4: 24th February 2008

TOPIC: HOW TO BRING THE TONGUE UNDER CONTROL – PROV 16:1

Aim: As previously stated

You cannot bring your own tongue under control by yourself only God can. James 3:8 says “The tongue can no man tame”. If you desire to tame your tongue, then yield to God alone. Prov 16:1 says “The preparations of the heart of man and the answer of the tongue are from the Lord”.

The admonishes in James 1:19 “that we should slow to speak. If you are slow to speak, then it means you are using the time to allow God to give you what to say and when it comes out from your mouth it will edify your hearer.

In conclusion, Prov 13:30 says “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life. Do you want to live long? Then control your tongue anywhere you find yourself.