Taming the Tongue

God created the tongue to be delight to him and all people, but we have more often used it for destruction, which shows us our need for Jesus.

Resolutions from Sinclair Ferguson speaking at the Desiring God conference.

Resolve to...

1. ask God for wisdom to speak and to do so with a single mind. (James 1:5-6)

2. boast only in my exaltation in Christ or my humiliation in the world. (James 1:9-10)

3. set a watch over my mouth. (James 1:13)

4. be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak. (James 1:19)

5. learn the gospel way of speaking to the poor and the rich. (James 2:1-4)

6. speak in the consciousness of the final judgment. (James 2:12)

7. never stand on anyone's face with words that demean, despise, or cause despair. (James 2:15-16)

8. never claim a reality I do not experience. (James 3:14)

9. resist quarrelsome words as marks of a bad heart. (James 4:1)

10. never speak evil of another. (James 4:11)

11. never boast in what I will accomplish. (James 4:13)

12. always speak as one who is subject to the providences of God. (James 4:15)

13. never grumble, knowing that the Judge is at the door. (James 5:9)

14. never allow anything but total integrity in my speech. (James 5:12)

15. speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (James 5:13)

16. sing praises to God whenever I am cheerful. (James 5:13)

17. ask for the prayers of others when I am sick. (James 5:14)

18. confess it whenever I have failed. (James 5:16)

19. pray for one another when I am together with others in need. (James 5:16)

20. speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (James 5:20)