Talking (19 of 24)
Series: How to Do Life
Jerry Watts
James 4:11-12
• From the time a baby is born, his parents, friends, and loved ones talk to him/her incessantly. In fact, one of the milestones in the life of a child is when they speak their first word.
• To be able to talk means to easily communicate, sing, shout, and more.
• It has been long thought that control someone's speech is considered oppressive and demeaning, so our forefathers included in the Bill of Rights the "Right to free speech."
• However, I submit that this right has been abused and taken to heights (or better said, 'depths') that was never intended. But such is the nature of man. When we are given something like a right, our nature shows up.
• There is an old story of a grumpy man who griped all the time. One morning his wife (trying not to set him off) sweetly asked, "Dear, what would you like for breakfast?" Gruffly he responded, "Two eggs, one fried and one scrambled." Ten minutes later his plate was set before him. Looking at the plate he said sternly, "You fried the wrong egg."
• James is speaking directly to a misuse of talking (which is one of God's precious gifts to us) called "criticism."
• I begin by saying we are a people who are naturally 'critical,' it's our sinful nature.
• We live in an age of criticism and tale-bearing. We have critics in the office, on the job, in the hallways of school, and classes. Think about it, we have people who make their livings as "Movie Critics." While I hate to say it, it is true that our world has an insatiable desire for 'scuttlebutt.'
• James deals clearly, concisely, and correctly with the issue of talking.
1. The Exercise Issue
• I call it this because our godless culture today have come to believe that they have an inalienable right to gripe (say what they want to).
• Sadly, many inside the church would agree with this. Make no mistake, God doesn't agree at all. Col 4:6 "Let your speech be always with grace, s ...
Series: How to Do Life
Jerry Watts
James 4:11-12
• From the time a baby is born, his parents, friends, and loved ones talk to him/her incessantly. In fact, one of the milestones in the life of a child is when they speak their first word.
• To be able to talk means to easily communicate, sing, shout, and more.
• It has been long thought that control someone's speech is considered oppressive and demeaning, so our forefathers included in the Bill of Rights the "Right to free speech."
• However, I submit that this right has been abused and taken to heights (or better said, 'depths') that was never intended. But such is the nature of man. When we are given something like a right, our nature shows up.
• There is an old story of a grumpy man who griped all the time. One morning his wife (trying not to set him off) sweetly asked, "Dear, what would you like for breakfast?" Gruffly he responded, "Two eggs, one fried and one scrambled." Ten minutes later his plate was set before him. Looking at the plate he said sternly, "You fried the wrong egg."
• James is speaking directly to a misuse of talking (which is one of God's precious gifts to us) called "criticism."
• I begin by saying we are a people who are naturally 'critical,' it's our sinful nature.
• We live in an age of criticism and tale-bearing. We have critics in the office, on the job, in the hallways of school, and classes. Think about it, we have people who make their livings as "Movie Critics." While I hate to say it, it is true that our world has an insatiable desire for 'scuttlebutt.'
• James deals clearly, concisely, and correctly with the issue of talking.
1. The Exercise Issue
• I call it this because our godless culture today have come to believe that they have an inalienable right to gripe (say what they want to).
• Sadly, many inside the church would agree with this. Make no mistake, God doesn't agree at all. Col 4:6 "Let your speech be always with grace, s ...
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