INTRODUCTION

1. The world speaks of “freedom of speech”

2. Many take advantage of this “human right”

a) To promote what they wish

b) Not necessarily because of a righteous cause

3. What do the Scriptures teach us about how we should employ speech?

 

THE ARROGANT MOUTH OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS

Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? Psalm 12:1-4

1. The danger of the Disappearing Righteous

a) The godly man ceases

b) The faithful disappear

2. The Danger of the Deadly Tongue

a) Idle speech

b) Flattering lips of a double heart

c) Speaking proudly

d) Arrogance

“With our tongue we will prevail;

Our lips are our own

Who is lord over us?” Psalm 12:4

3. Vital prayers

a) Help, LORD Psalm 12:1a

b) May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,

And the tongue that speaks proud things! Psalm 12:3

 

THE PROBLEM OF INJUSTICE

1. Psalm 82

A Psalm of Asaph

2. Context

a) God examines the Judges

b) They are supposed to uphold Justice

c) The Judges are called “the gods” Psalm 82:1b

d) The word “gods”

“You are (like) gods, and all of you are children of the Most High.” Psalm 82:6

3. The word of God against the Wicked Judges

a) How long will you judge unjustly Psalm 82:2a

b) And show partiality to the wicked Psalm 82:2b

4. The command of God to do what is righteous

a) Defend the poor and the fatherless Psalm 82:3a

b) Do justice to the afflicted and needy Psalm 82:3b

c) Deliver the poor and needy Psalm 82:4a

d) Free them from the hand of the wicked Psalm 82:4b

5. When Injustice prevails

a) They do not know, nor do they understand; Psalm 82:5a

b) They walk in darkness Psalm 82:5b

c) All the foundations of the earth are unstable Psalm 82:5c

 

THE MOUTH OF THE RIGHTEOUS

1. Wisdom

The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom Psalm 37:30a

a) Wisdom comes from knowledge

b) Knowledge of Righteousness comes from the Lord

2. Justice

And his tongue talks of justice Psalm 37:30b

a) For there is much injustice

b) The righteous will stand up for justice

 

CONCLUSION

4 The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:

he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. 5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear,

and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair:

I hid not my face from shame and spitting. 7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint,

and I know that I shall not be ashamed. 8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary?

let him come near to me. Isaiah 50:4-8

1. To pray for the Tongue of the learned

2. To trust that God will help us

3. To have a strong sense of courage

4. To know that God is near