They made it!  Soon all of you will make it too.  With all the things you have learned in school I hope you have learned to have more love, kindness and control of your tongue.  Why did I say tongue?  Because I was reading this morning in James, Chapter three.  It talked about the tongue and made me think about my own words that are spoken.  How about you?  If you want to get along in life after you graduate and even before we are told in the Bible to watch the words we say and don’t say.  James shows us how wicked the tongue can be. 

     Our speech ought to be proper by saying the right words at the right time.  But at the same time we must control our desires to say bad things.  A bad tongue could be the following:  gossiping, putting others down,, bragging, telling lies, exaggerating, complaining and flattering.  Wow!  Are any of these on your tongue?  Before you speak ask, “Is what I want to say true?  Is it necessary?  Is it kind?   We all have to watch our tongues. 

     Did you know that James says the tongue is a fire.  Even a spark can set a whole forest on fire.  In the same way a tongue can destroy.  James says it is an unruly evil full of deadly poison.  With the tongue we bless God and then we curse people.  God’s word say, “These things ought not to be so.”

     How is your tongue doing first of all to your family?  Words of love and kindness ought to be always coming forth from your lips to your parents and siblings.  Then when you leave your home to go to school or be with other friends your words ought be full of love and kindness. 

     We love to be around people who are kind and loving to us so let’s try to treat others like we want to be treated.  We all have to work on this, not just children or young people.  The Bible’s words of wisdom are for all of us. 

     So today, watch your tongue that you do not set a big fire by it.  God’s Spirit will kelp you discern what kind, loving words ought to come out of your mouth.  If one wrong word slips out just ask God for forgiveness and try to make it right with the one that heard you. 

     I found some good verses in Proverbs that are on our words or speech.  I hope you will read them and keep them well in mind.

                                                                 PROVERBS TO LIVE BY

Pr 10:11  ¶ The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.  This verse tells us that the mouth of a person who does right brings good life to himself and others, but when his mouth says wicked things violence comes to him and to others.

Pr 10:18  ¶ He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool.   When we hide our true feelings by lying (saying nice things about someone when we really hate them) or if he say something untrue about someone God says we are a fool.  And a fool is a simpleton or one who deceives. 

Pr 10:19  ¶ In the multitude of words there lacks not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise.  When we talk too much we will usually say things that are not good so watch that and think before you speak.  When you do God says you are wise. 

Pr 10:20  The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.     The righteous are those who love God and try to do things that are right.  They know what things they ought to say to others.  The wicked say wild things that are not true.  So be careful who you listen to.

Pr 15:1 ¶ A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.   Never get angry or speak loud and nasty when you speak to someone. That will only make them mad and will stir up anger in them toward you.  When you speak softly then it is hard for the other person to get really mad at you.

Pr 16:24  ¶ Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.   When you speak nice loving words to your friends or your family that brings health to your bones.  That means that your body will be healthy.  Did you know that anger and a mean spirit makes your body sick?  So want to be strong and healthy?  Then speak nice things to everyone. 

Pr 18:8  ¶ The words of a talebearer are like tasty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.  Pr 20:19  ¶ He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore associate not with him who flatters with his lips.  A talebearer is one that tattles or tells things about someone that they ought to keep quiet.  It is not good to tell bad things about your friends.  Encourage them and help them.  Remember you will be healthy and people will like you when you keep your mouth from speaking evil.  God says we are not to associate with them unless they speak the truth and speak kind words. 

Pr 21:23  ¶ Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.   Watch your mouth and you will stay out of a lot of trouble. 

Pr 26:17   ¶ He that passes by, and meddles with a quarrel not belonging to him, is like one that takes a dog by the ears.  Don’t get involved in another person’s quarrel with something.  Stay out of it.  Or you will get in trouble if you get involved.  The Bible says it would be like taking a dog by the ears.  Wow! That would make the dog mad and bite you.  The same way if you get involved in someone else’s quarrel you might get in big trouble or even get hurt physically.

Pr 25:11

¶ A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 

     Your words that are good and loving are like golden apples on a silver plate.  God wants you to say only kind and loving things but He also wants you to speak the truth.