January 14, 2007
“Bad Breath: It is Worse than You Think”
Romans 3:13-14”
When the Bible speaks about human beings, it does not present a pretty picture! Contrary to popular belief the Bible does not teach that man is basically good and needs “little changes” to be saved. Rather, the Bible teaches we need spiritual heart surgery, it teaches “ye must be born again”; it teaches that Christ had to die to save you and that we all must be resurrected from spiritual and moral death to life – Ephesians 2:1-10
I. These verses are part of a larger context that does not present a pleasant picture of the sinful state of mankind – Romans 3:9-20
1. This same dark picture of human beings is presented throughout Scripture – Genesis 6:5; Psalm 5:9; Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 1:4-6
2. This same dark picture is communicated by Jesus Christ – Matthew 15:16-19
3. These passages and others like them are “truth” not exaggeration – John 17:17; John 8:31-32
II. The verses we consider this morning focus on the mouth, again it is not a pretty picture – Romans 3:13-14
1. A great spiritual / moral stench “a open tomb” – Romans 3:13; John 11:39
A. Something we are not used to, our tombs are usually kept away from us and sealed tight
B. Similarly, we try to hide / cover our sinfulness – Matthew 23:25-28
2. The open tomb idea presents the mouth as the opening to a wicked heart, even as Jesus did – Matthew 15:16-19
3. In this mouth too is a deceitful tongue – Romans 3:13b
4. Even dangerous like a snake, an asp, a deadly poisonous snake – Romans 3:13c
5. Lastly, here we see the extent of this corruption described “full of cursing and bitterness” – Romans 3:14
6. Remember this is the condition of all of us – Romans 3:9-10 (at least until we are made new creatures – 2 Corinthians 5:17)
III. Yet, even after we are new creatures we may still struggle with the mouth and tongue –
James, speaking to believers talks to them about the great difficulty of controlling the tongue – James 3:1-12
He tells us:
1. The tongue is surprisingly powerful – James 3:1-5; Proverbs 18:21
2. The tongue is dangerously flammable – James 3:6
3. The tongue is hellish / devilish – James 3:6
A. Lying words are from the Devil – John 8:44
B. Satan’s first method of destruction was to use smooth and lying words – Genesis 3:1-6
4. The tongue is extremely untamable – James 3:7-8
5. The tongue is highly unpredictable – James 3:9-10
6. The tongue is grossly unnatural – James 3:11-12
IV. How can we handle such a wicked thing, as our tongues and mouths?
1. With humility – James 3:1
A. There is a reason we are given two ears but only one mouth – James 1:19
B. Humility is important to every part of our Christian lives – 1 Corinthians 10:12; Psalm 25:9
2. With Scripture – Philippians 4:8; Psalm 119:11
The computer term is “GIGO” garbage in garbage out, the same applies to our minds and hearts, if we put garbage in, we will get garbage out! God’s Word is the Seed which brings forth good fruit!
3. With Christ’s HELP – James 3:8; Mark 4:39; John 15:5
4. By realizing God’s grand purpose for your converted tongue – Psalm 40:3; Mark 16:15; Psalm 51:14
NKJ Psalm 138:1 A Psalm of David. I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your loving kindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. 3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.
