Seventy-Three Sins of the Tongue

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things.  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be (James 3:5-6; 8-10);

But as He which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be you holy; for I AM holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

This blog is one of several that deals with the serious matter of overt and covert SIN in the Church, which grieves, quenches and vexes the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).

SIN is alive and well in the Body of Christ due in part to the fact that every church congregation consists of professing Christians who:

Have little or no reverential fear of God, which is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom, and adds length to life (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 10:27);

Have little or no respect for God’s Word and question its divine inspiration, inerrancy and authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17);

Are selective about what Scriptures to believe and obey and what Scriptures to dismiss. 

Have never actually experienced a spiritual rebirth and are doing what comes natural to their unregenerate spiritual nature—indulging the appetites and desires of carnal, lustful and desperately wicked hearts (Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:3; Titus 3:5);

Have experienced a spiritual rebirth, but stubbornly refuse to crucify “SELF,” their pre-Salvation carnal, fleshly nature (aka the “old man”) (1 Samuel 15:23; Romans 6:6);

Have experienced a spiritual rebirth, but are burdened with the cares of this world which have suppressed the spiritual zeal they once knew and enjoyed when they were initially saved, leaving them spiritually asleep and lukewarm (Mark 4:19; 1 Corinthians 15:34; Revelation 3:15-16);

Attend church for wrong reasons, not to worship God and grow spiritually, but because church is a social club—a place to be seen and heard, to be entertained, to criticize, gossip and to slander (John 4:23; Romans 1:29; Proverbs 6:14,19);

Attend church under pretense of “keeping up appearances,” when in truth their heart is far from God (Isaiah 29:13);

Attend church for ambitious, narcissistic and vain reasons, seeking the admiration and applause of men (Matthew 6:5; 7:21-23; 23:5);

Attend church to have their itchy ears tickled by a preacher that delivers a watered-down, “feel good,” politically-correct gospel (Galatians 1:8; 2 Timothy 4:3).

Prophets, pastors, ministers and teachers are not exempt.  They should have a heart after God (Jeremiah 3:15).  Instead, many are committing willful sin and have become immune to conviction.  So-called prophets, greedy of filthy lucre, are prophesying lies of Satan, operating in the flesh not by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 5:2).  Pastors, ministers and teachers are compromising the Word of God by presenting watered-down gospel sermons and lessons that tickle itching ears! (2 Timothy 4:3).  They preach and teach messages that their congregants WANT to hear instead of what they NEED to hear.  These pastors, ministers and teachers have no business feeding God’s sheep and are Hell-bound UNLESS THEY REPENT! (John 21:16).  Consider what the Word of God says about these “wolves” in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15):

Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! saith the LORD.  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed My people; You have scattered My flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD (Jeremiah 23:1-2);

The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew Me not: the pastors also transgressed against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit (Jeremiah 2:8);

For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered (Jeremiah 10:21).

Today’s blog specifically deals with SEVENTY-THREE SINS OF THE TONGUE!  (Oh yes, a Christian can sin when he speaks!) This teaching is very much-needed because careless, ignorant, untrained and disobedient tongues are inflicting great damage in the Body of Christ!  You may be thinking, “But, surely sinning through speech isn’t as bad as committing murder.”  In response, we must consider Jesus’ Words:

Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:15);

If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? (1 John 4:20).

So I ask, “How many times have you murdered someone with the weapon of your tongue?”  “How many sins are you committing every day, just by speaking?”

As incredible as it may seem, sins of the tongue are among the most devastating of all of the categories of sin.  In fact, of the seven sins mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19 that are especially hated by God, three are sins of the tongue:

These six things does the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.  [Emphasis Mine]

A multitude of hearts have been wounded and broken by critical and cruel words!  

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded SPIRIT who can bear?  (Proverbs 18:14);

There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men (Proverbs 30:14).

Contention, strife and offense within the Body of Christ and church splits are caused by careless, wagging tongues.  Church, this is no joking matter to God! 

THE UNREGENERATED STONY HEART

In order for you to gain a better understanding of the HEART of man, I must once again return to the Garden of Eden, where sins of the tongue originated in the sin nature.  In its natural, “post-Fall of Man” and “pre-Salvation” condition, the HEART of man is EVIL, TREACHEROUS and DECEITFUL.

[Jesus is Speaking:]  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the HEART; and they defile the man. For out of the HEART proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (Matthew 15:18-19) [Emphasis Mine];

The HEART is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  (Jeremiah 17:9)

This was not always the case, however.  When Adam and Eve, progenitors of the human race, sinned in the Garden of Eden and fell from grace, their HEARTS underwent a supernatural change at the deepest level.  I believe their “created pure” HEARTS turned to stone because in Ezekiel 36:26, God promises to take away the stony HEART and give a HEART of flesh.  The minds, emotions and desires of Adam and Eve, were tainted by SIN … and their SIN NATURE and STONY HEART CONDITION … passed down to every human being through Adam’s bloodline.  But God had a Plan to remedy this “heart condition!”

BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF

THE UNREGENERATED STONY HEART

The following list DOES NOT represent an exhaustive study of the STONY HEART.  I am including only a few descriptions to paint a picture in your mind.  The STONY HEART:

Is a TREASURY OF EVIL (Matthew 6:21; 12:35; 15:8; Mark 7:21)

Is CARNAL (Romans 8:7)

Is DARKENED (Psalms 14:1; 53:1; Romans 1:21)

Is DISOBEDIENT (Deuteronomy 8:2)

Is ELATED BY SENSUAL INDULGENCE (Hosea 13:3)

Is ENVIOUS (Proverbs 23:17)

Is FAR FROM GOD (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8)

Is FEARFUL (Psalms 27:3; Isaiah 35:4; 2 Timothy 1:7)

Is FULL OF EVIL (Ecclesiastes 9:3)

Is FULL OF EVIL AND VAIN IMAGINATIONS (Proverbs 6:18; Jeremiah 4:14; 7:24)

Is HARD and STONY (Romans 2:5; Ezekiel 11:19)

Is HATEFUL TO MAN AND TO GOD (Leviticus 19:17; John 15:23)

Is IDOLATROUS (Ezekiel 14:3-4)

Is INFLUENCED BY SATAN (John 13:2; Acts 5:3)

Is JUDICIALLY HARDENED (Exodus 4:21; Joshua 11:20)

Is LUSTFUL (Proverbs 6:25; Matthew 5:28)

Is PERVERSE (Proverbs 12:8)

Is PROUD (Proverbs 6:16-17)

Is REBELLIOUS (Jeremiah 5:23)

Is SELF-INDULGING (Numbers 15:39

Is SUBTLE (Proverbs 7:10)

Is TROUBLED (John 14:1)

Is UNBELIEVING (Mark 16:14; Hebrews 3:12)

Is WAXED GROSS (Matthew 13:15)

 

SPEAKS EVIL (Proverbs 15:28)

THE REGENERATED HEART OF FLESH

When a repentant sinner is “born again” spiritually, a supernatural change occurs in his HEART and SPIRIT.  His HEART of stone is changed to a HEART of flesh!  

[The Lord is Speaking:]  A new HEART also will I give you, and a new SPIRIT will I put within you: and I will take away the stony HEART out of your flesh, and I will give you a HEART of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).  [Emphasis Added]

The following list DOES NOT represent an exhaustive study of the HEART of flesh.  I am including only a few descriptions to paint a contrasting picture in your mind:

Is a TREASURY OF GOOD (Matthew 12:35)

Is AWED BY THE WORD OF GOD (Psalms 119:161)

Is BROKEN & CONTRITE (Psalms 34:18; 51:17)

Is CLEAN (Psalms 51:10; 73:1,13)

Is CONFIDENT IN GOD (Psalms 112:7)

Is DESIROUS OF GOD (Psalms 84:2

Is DISCERNING (1 Kings 3:9; Deuteronomy 29:4)

Is FAITHFUL TO GOD (Nehemiah 9:8)

Is FEARLESS (Psalms 27:3; 2 Timothy 1:7)

Is FILLED WITH REVERENTIAL FEAR OF GOD (Deuteronomy 5:29; Jeremiah 32:40)

Is FILLED WITH THE LAW OF GOD (Deuteronomy 6:6; Psalms 37:31; 40:8; 119:11)

Is FIXED ON GOD (Psalms 57:7; 112:7)

Is HONEST & GOOD (1 Kings 9:4; Luke 8:15)

Is INFLUENCED BY GOD (1 Samuel 24:5; Acts 2:37)

Is JOYFUL IN GOD (Proverbs 15:13; 17:22; John 16:22; Romans 14:17)

Is LOWLY & MEEK (Matthew 11:29)

Is MERCIFUL (Proverbs 3:3)

Is OBEDIENT (Proverbs 3:1; Psalms 119:12; Romans 6:17; Ephesians 6:6)

Is PERFECT WITH GOD (1 Kings 8:61; 15:14; Psalms 101:2)

Is PRAYERFUL (1 Samuel 1:13; Psalms 27:8)

Is PURE (Psalms 24:4; Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22)

Is SOFT & TENDER (1 Samuel 24:5; 2 Kings 22:19; Job 23:16)

Is TRUE & SINCERE (Psalms 15:2; Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:22)

Is UNIFIED (Psalms 133:1; Acts 2:1; 4:32)

Is UPRIGHT (Psalms 7:10; 97:11; 125:4)

Is WHOLLY DEVOTED TO GOD (Psalms 9:1; 119:10,69,145)

Is WILLING (Exodus 35:5)

Is WISE (Proverbs 2:10; 10:8; 14:33; 16:23; 23:15)

Is ZEALOUS (2 Chronicles 17:6; Jeremiah 20:9)

KNOWS GOD (Jeremiah 24:7

LOVES GOD (Matthew 22:37)

SEEKS GOD (2 Chronicles 19:3; Psalms 10:17; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 6:33)

SINGS TO GOD (Ephesians 5:19)

TRUSTS GOD (Proverbs 3:5)

THE HEART INFLUENCES OR CONTROLS SPEECH

What exactly is the HEART of man?  According to The Bible, the HEART:

Is a SPIRITUAL (not physical) component of man’s makeup (1 Peter 3:4);

Is INTERTWINED and INTERCONNECTED with the SPIRIT and SOUL (Proverbs 15:13; Hebrews 4:12);

Is IMMORTAL, meaning it lives on through eternity, either in Heaven or in Hell (Psalms 22:26);

Is the “HIDDEN MAN” (1 Peter 3:4) and the “INNER MAN” (Ephesians 3:16);

Is the CENTER CORE of human life (Proverbs 4:23);

Is the THINKING aspect of man (Proverbs 23:7; Matthew 9:4; 15:19; Luke 2:19);

Is the WILL of man (Exodus 35:5; Daniel 10:12);

Is the CONSCIENCE of man (Acts 2:37; 9:5);

Is the source of GOOD or EVIL (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:18-19; Hebrews 10:22);

Is the source of FAITH or UNBELIEF (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10);

Is the FEELINGS and EMOTIONS of man (Genesis 6:6; Deuteronomy 15:10; Proverbs 14:13; John 16:22).  

The HEART feels gladness (Psalms 4:7), desires (Psalms 20:4, 73:7, Proverbs 6:25), is troubled (Psalms 25:17), trusts (Psalms 28:7), is broken (Psalms 34:18), suffers turmoil (Psalms 38:8), fails one (Psalms 40:12), is pained (Psalms 55:4), is proud (Psalms 101:5), hates (Psalms 105:25), is wounded (Psalms 109:22), is distressed (Psalms 143:4), despises (Proverbs 5:12), is anxious (Proverbs 12:25), is bitter (Proverbs 14:10), is merry (Proverbs 15:13), is haughty (Proverbs 18:12), is proud (Proverbs 21:4), envies (Proverbs 23:17), delights (Proverbs 27:9), anguishes (2 Corinthians 2:4) and Loves (Matthew 22:37).

Is EXAMINED by God (Psalms 26:2);

Is to be DILIGENTLY GUARDED, for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23);

Determines the CHARACTER of man (Proverbs 23:7);

Influences or controls SPEECH (Proverbs 15:28; 16:23; Matthew 12:34).

A good man out of the good treasure of his HEART brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his HEART brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the HEART his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).  [EMPHASIS MINE]

Where exactly is the HEART of man located?  Common sense dictates that it cannot be the vital organ that pumps blood throughout the body.  Why?  Because if a person’s physical heart becomes diseased and he undergoes a heart transplant, the spiritual essence of the person does not change when he receives a new heart.  Others surmise that the HEART of man is located in the brain, but that argument fails to hold water also.  After all, if a person suffers from brain damage due to Alzheimer’s or stroke, does this mean that God no longer indwells the HEART of a Believer who has brain damage?  Of course not, because God promised that He would never leave nor forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5)  In my humble opinion, only God knows where the spiritual HEART is located, so this should not be your concern or mine.  AS CHRISTIANS, OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO RETRAIN AND DEVELOP IT!

UNDERSTANDING THE HEART’S

POWER TO INFLUENCE & CONTROL SPEECH

In order for you to gain a better understanding of the HEART of man, I must once again reference The Creation.  We must also understand the following central truths about our Creator: 

God is a spirit (John 4:24);

God created man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26);

God SPOKE the universe, the Earth, mankind and all living things into existence before the Holy Spirit moved and used His Creative Power:

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light (Genesis 1:3);

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters … and it was so (Genesis 1:6-7);

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so (Genesis 1:9);

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so (Genesis 1:11);

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years … and it was so (Genesis 1:14-15);

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven (Genesis 1:20);

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so (Genesis 1:24);

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth (Genesis 1:26);

Notice that the Holy Spirit did not move to create until God SPOKE everything into existence!  Jesus did likewise.  He only spoke and acted as His Father directed!

I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which has sent Me (John 5:30).  [Emphasis Mine];

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever He does, these also does the Son likewise (John 5:19).

These Scriptures clearly reveal that God’s Words are Powerful and accomplish His Purpose and Will!

For the WORD OF GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of SOUL and SPIRIT, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the HEART (Hebrews 4:12).  [EMPHASIS MINE]

[The Lord is Speaking:]  So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:11).  [Emphasis Mine]

In addition, since God created man in His Image and after His Likeness, our words are powerful and accomplish EITHER God’s Purpose and Will … or our purpose and will!  When released into the atmosphere (spirit realm), words spread quickly to accomplish their HEART-intended purpose.  Words are seeds that produce fruit.  They produce the fruit of GOOD or EVIL … BLESSINGS or CURSES … HEALTH or DISEASE … LIFE or DEATH!  God is NOT responsible for bad things happening to you!  And most of the time, SATAN is not responsible because by your own words, you have given him free license and permission to steal, kill and destroy!  (John 10:10).  God’s people are being destroyed because they lack knowledge of the Word of God!  (Hosea 4:6)  

CULTIVATE YOUR CONVERSATION!

From a previous teaching, I WARNED that Satan’s demon spies hang around waiting for you to say or do something that they can act on.  They act on words of cursing, ignorance, sickness, unbelief and death!  This is why a Christian should be very careful about what words comes out of his mouth!  Ephesians 4:27 warns us to “give no place to the devil!”

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21);

[Jesus is Speaking:]  A good man out of the good treasure of his HEART brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his HEART brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the HEART his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).  [EMPHASIS MINE]

To illustrate this Truth, consider the following statements that I hear Believers say many times.  It is no wonder that the Body of Christ is afflicted with sickness and disease!  Christians are in and out of hospitals and dying prematurely because they are speaking words of sickness and death over themselves and others!  Notice that these statements are riddled with life-threatening “seed” words:

“My back is killing me!”

“I’m being worked to death on my job.”

“I believe that I’m coming down with the flu.” 

“I believe that I’m getting Alzheimer’s.”

“Since my parents died of cancer, I expect to die from cancer, too.”

These unwise statements communicate to the hearer that the person speaking is spiritually immature because they clearly contradict the Word of God, which says that “by Jesus’ stripes, we are healed!” (1 Peter 2:24).  Remember, the HEART and SOUL (mind) must be renewed daily by the Word of God! (Romans 12:2).  God’s angels that accompany you are waiting to hear you speak the Word of God … or step out in faith … so they can act on your behalf!

It is significant to point out that the words believe and expect in the above statements are Faith words, but they are spoken from an unrenewed HEART.  A Christian that makes statements like these has swallowed the lies (fiery darts) of the enemy who planted these thoughts in their mind.  Remember, Satan’s battlefield is the mind! (Ephesians 6:16).

As soon as such thoughts enter a Believer’s mind, he should counter the lies by speaking the Word of God.  Consider the following Scriptures which I have personalized:

“For the weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.  In the Name of Jesus, I cast down this imagination because it exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and I bring into captivity this thought to the obedience of Christ.  (2 Corinthians 5:10).  According to God’s Word:

By Jesus’ stripes, I am healed and enjoy good health! (1 Peter 2:24; 3 John 1:2)

No weapon that Satan forms against me shall prosper! (Isaiah 54:17)

I believe that I have a sound mind and the mind of Christ! (2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Corinthians 2:16)

I believe that Jesus has redeemed me from the curse of the Law and generational curses and that I will enjoy and live a long life because I keep (obey) God’s commandments!” (Galatians 3:13; Proverbs 3:1-2)

Since all of the above statements are Faith-based and agree with the Word of God, they will produce the fruit of GOOD HEALTH and LONG LIFE!  

YOUR TONGUE MUST BE RETRAINED BY YOU!

To recap, EVIL SPEECH is the product of an unregenerate, “desperately wicked” HEART (Jeremiah 17:9).  When a sinner is saved, his HEART is changed.  This change is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in response to Faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Romans 10:10).  When a sinner is saved, God gives him a new HEART (Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 36:26; Isaiah 57:15).  The regeneration of the HEART results in new ideas, new wisdom, and new desires.  Once we are saved, it is vitally important that we “guard our hearts with all diligence,” for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

If a Believer is truly “born again,” and he is daily renewing his mind to the Word of God, EVIL SPEECH will not be the product of his regenerated HEART. 

INCORRECT and INAPPROPRIATE SPEECH, however, is an entirely different matter because this kind of speech is usually learned during childhood and becomes a habit when practiced over and over again.  When a sinner is “born again,” his learned/habitual speech is NOT regenerated.  CORRECT and APPROPRIATE SPEECH will come forth as a new Christian learns the Word of God and retrains his tongue.  This process will require time, diligence, meditation, memorization, and patience on his part.  Remember, the tongue is an unruly member of the corruptible BODY (or flesh).  As a new Christian remains faithful to read and listen to the Word of God, his SOUL (mind, will, emotions) will be renewed (Romans 10:17).  The tongue is a muscle and like any muscle in the body, it needs to be retrained and exercised in order to produce a desired result.  Therefore, the learned habit of INCORRECT and INAPPROPRIATE SPEECH can be broken.  A Believer retrains his tongue by practicing the process of renewing his SOUL to the Word of God and by purposely reprogramming his speech.  The Apostle Paul expressed it as follows:

But you have not so learned Christ; If so be that you have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4:20-25).

In time, this renewing and retraining process will influence his speech in a positive way.  To illustrate this truth, consider the differences in the following two statements.  The first is spoken by a Christian that has just been saved; therefore, he is speaking from an unrenewed HEART because he has no knowledge of the Word of God.  The second statement is spoken by the same Christian six months after he has diligently renewed his mind to the Word of God and made a concentrated effort to retrain his tongue:

Statement #1—“I am a loser.”

Statement #2—“In all things I am more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ that loves me!”  (Romans 8:37).

DO YOU SEE HOW POWERFUL THE WORD OF GOD IS?  It literally destroyed the first mindset, which constituted a mental stronghold!

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

This principle applies to every expression of INCORRECT and INAPPROPRIATE SPEECH that you want to change!

IF YOU WANT TO LIVE A WHOLLY VICTORIOUS

LIFE IN CHRIST, YOUR TONGUE MUST BE

CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT!

According to The Bible, the tongue cannot be bridled or controlled by a man, woman or child. 

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor lists. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:3-8).

Only the Holy Spirit can control the tongue, but He will not do it against your will.  Therefore, if you want your tongue to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, you must give Him permission to do so and submit your tongue to Him!

… you have not, because you ask not (James 4:2);

[Jesus is Speaking:]  If you shall ask anything in My name, I will do it (John 14:14).  [Emphasis Added]

This principle applies to every part of your BODY, SOUL, SPIRIT and HEART that you want to see transformed by the Holy Spirit, so that you are more like Christ, our example!  All you have to do is YIELD your will to God’s Will!  This is what it means to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus!

[Jesus is Speaking:]  And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own SOUL? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his SOUL?  (Mark 8:34-37) [Emphasis Mine]

[The Apostle Paul is Speaking:]  … I die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31)  [Emphasis Mine];

[The Apostle Paul is Speaking:]  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Galatians 2:20) [Emphasis Mine];

[John the Baptist is Speaking:]  He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30) [Emphasis Mine];

[The Apostle Paul is Speaking:]  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him (Romans 6:6-8) [Emphasis Mine].

A tongue that is controlled by the Holy Spirit is evidence that a Believer is living a CRUCIFIED and VICTORIOUS life in Christ, which means he is a true disciple!  It is also the distinguishing mark of a perfect (spiritually maturity) man (Psalms 15; James 3:2).

POSITIVE PRAYER CONFESSIONS REGARDING YOUR SPEECH

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips (Psalms 141:3);

… I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress (Psalms 17:3b);

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me (Psalms 39:1);

My lips shall not speak wickedness nor my tongue utter deceit (Job 27:4);

Remove from me the way of lying.  (Psalms 119:29);

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer (Psalms 19:14).

Words are powerful weapons that pierce, penetrate and wound the HEART, SOUL and SPIRIT!  Therefore, Brothers and Sisters, it is imperative that you carefully and diligently guard your MOUTH and EAR gates!  You do not want God to hold you accountable and responsible for hurting people with your words.  In addition, you do not want anyone’s hurtful words to cause wounds in your inner man!  The Bible describes words as:

A SWORD (Proverbs 12:18; 25:18; Hebrews 4:12)

An ARROW (Jeremiah 9:8; Psalms 64:3)

A RAZOR (Psalms 52:2)

A FIRE (Proverbs 16:27; James 3:5-6)

A DEADLY POISON (Psalms 140:3; Romans 3:13; James 3:8)

A SNARE OF THE SOUL (Proverbs 6:2; 12:13; 18:7; 22:24-25)

DISARM THESE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION!

Since words have the power to destroy, Believers are wise to not speak or listen to words of death!  According to God’s Word, hatred is the root cause of slander, gossip and strife.  And, whosoever hates his brother is a murderer!  The Bible also says that God is love and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.  Since Jesus dwelled in perfect love, every Believer should follow His example.  (Proverbs 10:12; 18:21; 26:24,28; Ecclesiastes 7:21; 1 Corinthians 13:6; 1 Peter 2:22-23; 2 Peter 1:17; 1 John 3:15).

Every Believer occasionally says something negative without meaning to.  When this happens, do not allow Satan to heap condemnation on you.  After all, training the tongue takes time, commitment, patience and practice.  Depending on the situation, take immediate action against words of death:

When you catch yourself making a bad confession:

In the Name of Jesus, call back your words!  Curse them and command them to fall to the ground and not prosper!  (1 Samuel 3:19; Isaiah 31:2);

Repent, ask God to forgive you, and ask the Holy Spirit to set a watch over the lips of your mouth.  (Psalms 141:3).

When someone says something to you (or a thought enters your mind) that is contrary to the Word of God:

Rebuke it!  Say out loud, “In Jesus’ Name, I reject that and I do not receive it, or agree with it!”  (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Personalize, memorize, and verbalize Isaiah 54:17:  “No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment, I shall condemn.”

Reject words or thoughts that include the SEVENTY-THREE SINS OF THE TONGUE listed at the end of this teaching.

When someone prophesies to you in the Name of the Lord:

Do not believe or receive every so-called “word from the Lord!”  Always judge it by the Word of God and your inner witness.  Also, consider the character and reputation of the person prophesying.  Are they above reproach?  Is the person matured and proven in his prophetic gift and calling? If you are confident that the prophecy has been spoken by a seasoned and proven prophet of God, shelve it.  If the Holy Spirit was the author of the prophecy, it will come to pass in due season!  (Deuteronomy 18:22; Jeremiah 2:8; 20:6; 23:13,16,21; 28:6; Matthew 7:22-23; 1 John 5:6,8). 

Do not be afraid to ask for supporting Scripture from the person who is prophesying!  This is wisdom!  (John 15:26; 16:13).

WORDS HAVE WEAKNESSES!

They cannot substitute for deeds.  Love is action! (Proverbs 14:23; 1 John 3:18);

They cannot change the Truth (Proverbs 24:12; 26:23-28; 28:2; Romans 1:25; 1 John 1:8);

They cannot force a response (Proverbs 29:19).

THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO WRONG WORDS

When someone says or does something that rubs us the wrong way, an unrenewed HEART will desire to strike back and the tongue will oblige!  We cannot afford to retaliate because the “Law of Sowing and Reaping” applies to words also.  When we are the target of negative, destructive words, we are wise to respond according to the Word of God!  (Psalms 16:8; 30:6; 62:2,6; Proverbs 14:7; 23:9; Ecclesiastes 7:21; Matthew 5:44; 6:14-15; 16:23; Acts 2:25; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7; Ephesians 6:11,13; James 4:7).

PARTING WORDS OF WISDOM!

Pay attention to the right words!  It is imperative that you get the Word of God strong on the inside of you so you can discern Truth from error.  Remember, Satan speaks to your mind.  The Holy Spirit speaks Truth to your heart.  (Job 33:3; Proverb s 5:7; 7:24: 10:13-14; Isaiah 52:7; 55:11; John 8:32; 10:27; Ephesians 4:22,29-31; Philippians 1:27; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23; Philemon 1:6; 1 Peter 2:12; 3:1-2; 4:11; 2 Peter 3:11; James 3:13).

Strengthen your inner, hidden man!  Memorize the Word of God!  Meditate on the Word!  Study the Word!  Pray and sing the Word!  Worship the Lord in spirit and in Truth!  When you are in prayer, talk to God and then sit quietly and listen for His response.  Communication is a two-way street.  God is gentleman enough to listen while you pray.  Return the courtesy because as long as you are talking, God cannot and will not speak!  (Psalms 1:2; 34:1; Ephesians 5:19; 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:12; Jude 1:20).

Listen carefully before you speak to anyone!  Listen to the Holy Spirit, who is constantly guiding you.  (Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 16:32; 18:2,13,17; 29:20; Ecclesiastes 5:2; 7:9,21; Luke 12:12; John 7:51; James 1:19).

Think before you answer!  Avoid answering an important matter before you have studied it out with the Word of God and consulted with the Father.  A heart full of God’s wisdom will teach your mouth what to say.  (Proverbs 15:1,23,28; 16:23; 24:26; Colossians 4:6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 3:15).

Enjoy the good fruit of your trained tongue!  Your reward will be to see people freed from bondage, relationships mended, broken hearts healed, poverty turned to prosperity, and unbelief to faith.  (Proverbs 12:14; 13:2; 18:20; John 8:32).

IN CONCLUSION

Your tongue is one of the smallest organs of your body and yet it possesses great capacity to be used by Satan to accomplish his will.  This is why it is important that every Christian submit his will to God, so that Satan will flee when he is resisted! (James 4:7).  The devil will not flee from a Believer that is talking and acting like a devil!  Whether a Believer enjoys victory over the devil or not, depends on whether he is living a consecrated, submitted and obedient life!  Compromising, lukewarm Christians that willfully choose to have one foot in the Church and one in the world will never know true victory over sin, sickness and disease (Revelation 3:16).  And they are Hell-bound UNLESS THEY REPENT!  This is a tragedy because Jesus Christ died to destroy the works of the devil so that we can live a VICTORIOUS LIFE IN CHRIST! (Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8).

Blessings!

SEVENTY-THREE SINS OF THE TONGUE

Satan, the author of sin, has many voices!  Are your ears trained to recognize him when he speaks to you, or through you?

Accusation—blame; fault-finding; false accusation.  (Proverbs 30:10; Matthew 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:19; 2 Timothy 3:3; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:10)

Addiction—slurred speech; confusion; tremors; dilated eyes, etc.  (John 8:34; Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Peter 2:19)

Adversary—antagonist; enemy; hostility; opponent (Proverbs 25:22; Matthew 5:44; Philippians 1:28; 1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Peter 5:8)

Anger—rage; venting.  (Proverbs 15:1,18; 22:25; 25:28; 29:22; Psalms 55:21; Ephesians 4:26; 6:4)

Antichrist—denies or opposes God, Jesus Christ and His Word.  (Daniel 7:24-27; Matthew 24:15; 1 John 2:18,22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7; Revelation 13:1-11)

Backbiting—gossip; sowing discord; whispering; tale-bearing.  (Romans 1:29-30; Proverbs 6:14,19; 11:13; 16:28; 17:9; 18:8; 20:19; 25:23; 26:20,22; Galatians 5:15; 1 Timothy 5:13

Bigotry—bias and prejudice based on race, gender, sex, education, politics, religion, age, social class, disability, or sexual orientation.  (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 17:26; Galatians 3:28)

Bitterness (Acts 8:23; Hebrews 12:15)

Blasphemy—attributing or equating the work of the Holy Spirit to evil: e.g. casting out devils, healing, speaking in tongues.  This is the unforgivable sin.  (Luke 11:15; Mark 9:39; Matthew 12:31; Colossians 3:8)

Careless, Idle Words (Matthew 12:36)

Carnal & Worldly—love of the world and things of the world; carnal thinking; backslidden condition; sensual; fleshly; lustful; telling dirty jokes; unbelieving.  (John 3:31; James 3:15; 4:4; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:4,13; 3:3; 1 John 4:5)

Childish—spiritual immaturity; foolishness; jesting; joking; teasing; mischievousness, etc.  (Ecclesiastes 10:13; Proverbs 10:14; 15:2; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 5:4)

Complaining—murmuring; whining.  (Job 7:11; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:14; Jude 1:16)

Compromising—convictions, morals, principles and especially the Word of God.  (John 14:15; Hebrew 10:26)

Confrontation—challenging; opposition; goading; provocation.  (Daniel 10:13; Ephesians 6:4)

Confusion—double-minded; deceived; blinded spiritually.  (1 Corinthians 14:33; James 1:8; 3:16)

Contentious—arguing; nagging; nit-picking; debating; discord and strife; disputing and defensiveness.  (Proverbs 13:10; 15:18; 17:14; 18:6; 21:19; 27:15; 29:22; Philippians 2:14; Jude 1:9; 1 Timothy 6:4-5; 2 Timothy 2:14,23; Titus 3:9; Jude 1:9)

Corruption—one’s morals change from good to evil; to lead someone astray; to be a stumbling block; to become defiled by possessing “accursed things” or worshipping idols.  (Matthew 15:11,18-19; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 6:8; Ephesians 4:29; Titus 1:11; 2 Peter 2:19; James 3:6)

Covetous—to envy or to be jealous.  (Proverbs 14:30; 23:17; 27:4; Hebrews 13:5; James 3:13-16; Romans 1:29; 1 Timothy 6:4)

Cruel & Fierce—bullying; demeaning; cutting; remorseless; harsh; merciless; hard-hearted.  (Proverbs 12:10; 30:14; Psalms 71:4; 2 Timothy 3:3)

Death & Disease—Christians that speak words of sickness, disease and death over themselves and others.  For example, “Everyone in my family has died of cancer and I expect to die of it, too.”  Or, “My back is killing me.”  Words are seeds.  Once they are released into the atmosphere, they do not return void and accomplish their purpose.  Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.  (Proverbs 10:11; 12:18; 13:3 15:4,30; 16:23-24; 18:21; Psalms 17:3; 141:3; Isaiah 55:11; Galatians 6:7; James 3:10)

Depression—despair; heaviness; hopelessness; excessive grieving and suicidal thoughts.  (Psalms 42:5,11; 43:5; Proverbs 15:13; Isaiah 61:3; Nehemiah 8:10; 2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Discouragement—negativism; a hindering spirit trying to interfere with, or abort, a person’s divine destiny: Jesus said to Peter, “get thee behind Me Satan;” delaying spirit—delayed manifestation of God’s Blessings and Promises and the hardness of the Christian walk can cause deferred hope.  (Numbers 21:4; Deuteronomy 1:21,28; Proverbs 13:12; Matthew 16:22-23; Galatians 5:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:18)

Distracting—spirits, people or things that divert your focus from Kingdom work.  (1 Corinthians 7:35)

Elitist—is someone who believes that he is spiritually superior and deserving of exclusive rights and privileges; e.g. only certain believers are allowed to join the prayer team; Such a person is patronizing and condescending.  He is so heavenly-minded that he is of no earthly good.  Christians who believe their denomination is the only True denomination.  Their denomination has become an idol and god; such a mindset and practice encourages schism and division in the Body of Christ which God hates.  Every member of Christ’s Body is needed and valued.  (Acts 23:7; Romans 12:3-5; 1 Corinthians 3:4; 12:14,23; James 4:1; Titus 3:9)

Evasive—indirect; secretive; mysterious; avoids eye contact; is hiding something.  (Ephesians 5:12; 2 Peter 2:3)

Evil Speaking (Psalms 34:13; Jeremiah 17:9; Ephesians 4:31; Titus 3:2; James 4:11; 1 Peter 3:16)

Exaggeration—embellishing or stretching the truth; excessive drama & trauma.  (John 8:44; Revelation 22:18)

Excessive Talking—babbling; much talking.  (Ecclesiastes 5:3; Proverbs 10:10; 13:3; 29:11; Matthew 6:7; 1 Timothy 1:6; 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 1:11)

False Doctrine (Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Timothy 1:10; 2 John 1:10)

False Humility—pretention.  (Colossians 2:18)

False Prophecy (Jeremiah 14:14; Matthew 7:15; 24:11)

False Teaching (2 Peter 2:1; 4:3)

False Witness (Proverbs 6:19; 14:5; Matthew 19:18)

False Worship (Matthew 15:8)

Favoritism—partiality; respect of persons.  (Romans 2:11; Colossians 3:25; 1 Timothy 5:21; James 3:17)

Fearful (2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 2:15; 1 John 4:18)

Feigned Love (2 Peter 2:3)

Flattery (Psalms 5:9; 12:2-3; Proverbs 26:28; Matthew 15:8; Luke 6:26; 1 Thessalonians 2:5)

Fools (Proverbs 10:14; 18:7; 29:11)

Fraud—pretense; deception; guile; cons; scams; the love of money; “glitter and hype, high-pressure tactics of T.V. ministries to get Christians to give money—‘don’t miss this open door to sow your best seed NOW!”  Pretending to be someone you are not by hiding behind a mask and deceiving people.  (1 Thessalonians 4:6; 2 Peter 2:3)

Hasty (Ecclesiastes 5:2; Proverbs 18:13; 29:20; Psalms 106:33)

Idolatrous—idol worship; loving someone or some thing more than God; denominationalism.  An idol can be one’s spouse, job, favorite pastime, hobby, sport, movie star, rock star, etc. (Exodus 20:3-6; Matthew 10:37; Luke 10:27; John 12:25; 1 Corinthians 3:4; 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:10; 1 John 2:15; 5:21)

Judgmental—condemnation.  (Proverbs 17:15; Job 15:6; Matthew 7:1-5; John 7:24; Luke 6:37; James 4:11-12; 5:12; Romans 8:1; 1 Timothy 3:6)

Lying—deceit; guile.  (Job 27:4; Proverbs 6:17; 12:22; 17:4; 24:28; 26:28; Jeremiah 9:5; John 8:44; Acts 5:3; Revelation 21:8)

Mocking—Scorning.  (Proverbs 19:29; Matthew 9:24; 27:29; Jude 1:18)

Murderous—pro-choice abortion speech; hate speech; malicious; maligning; reviling; slanderous; criticism; disrespectful; insulting; demeaning.  (Proverbs 26:24; 3 Psalms 101:5; Matthew 5:22; John 1:10; Acts 23:5 1 Corinthians 4:13; 2 Peter 2:10; Jude 1:8)

Narcissistic—in love with or preoccupied with SELF.  Must be the center of attention.  You will hear the BIG “I, Me, My” in their conversation.  A narcissistic person is vain about their looks.  Some develop an obsession with body building, while others become professional models (Ezekiel 28; Romans 12:3; 2 Timothy 3:2)

Occult—astrology; horoscopes; fortune-telling; New Age; Scientology; mysticism; yoga; meditation; crystal-gazing, etc.  (Leviticus 19:26; 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Isaiah 2:6; 18:9; 19:3; 47:13-14; Jeremiah 10:2; Micah 5:12; Acts 19:18-20)

Offense—people who are easily hurt, insulted and offended wear their feelings on their sleeve; they respond in self-righteous indignation.  (Proverbs 18:19; 19:11; Ecclesiastes 7:21-22; Matthew 18:7; 24:10-13; Mark 4:16-17; 6:3; Luke 6:22; 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:2-3; Galatians 6:1-3; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Peter 3:14; 2 Timothy 3:12)

Persecuting (Matthew 5:11,44; John 15:18; Romans 12:14; Hebrews 12:3; 1 Peter 3:16-17)

Perverted Justice—calling good, evil and evil good; judicially hardened.  (Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 16:20; Job 37:23; 1 Samuel 8:3; Proverbs 8:13; 17:15; 28:5; Psalms 33:5; Isaiah 10:1-2; Matthew 23:23; Acts 17:30-32; Philippians 2:15)

Perverted Truth (Isaiah 5:20; 2Corinthians 2:17; Galatians 1:7)

Politically Correct (Deuteronomy 28:20; 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Kings 11:33; 2 Kings 22:16-17; Proverbs 25:26; Isaiah 10:1-2; Matthew 16:24; 17:17; Chapter 24; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Galatians 5:11; Philippians 2:15; 3:20-21; 1 Peter 2:9)

Prayer of the Wicked (Proverbs 28:9*) *God does hear the prayer of a penitent sinner.

Prayerless (1 Samuel 12:23; Matthew 6:6; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 4:2-3)

 

Profane—taking the Lord’s Name in vain.  (Exodus 20:7)

Proud—arrogant; stubborn; boastful; impenitent; unable or unwilling to say “I’m sorry” or “I was wrong.”  (1 Samuel 2:3; 15:23; Proverbs 8:13; 14:3; 18:12; Psalms 12:3; 94:4; John 7:18; Romans 1:29-30; Titus 1:10; 2 Peter 2:18; Jude 1:16; Revelation 13:5)

Rebellious—disobedient; stubborn.  (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Proverbs 29:15; Matthew 7:21-22; John 14:15; Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:22; Hebrews 13:17; James 1:22,26)

Religious spirit—hypocrisy; piety, self-righteousness; denominationalism; justifies faults, weaknesses and sin.  (Proverbs 11:9; Proverbs 28:24; Romans 2:15; 1 John 1:8)

Silent—Silence is golden in God’s House and in God’s Presence, but keeping silent and allowing evil to reign is the same as conceding defeat to the enemy.  (Ecclesiastes 3:7; Proverbs 10:19; 11:12; 13:3; 21:23; Psalms 39:2; Habakkuk 2:20; Zephaniah 1:7)  

Sinful (Ecclesiastes 5:6; Psalms 59:12; Ephesians 2:3)

Swearing—crude; froward; perverse; revolting; gross; filthy-foul language.  (Proverbs 6:12; 8:13; 10:31; 15:4; 17:20; 19:1; 23:33; Colossians 3:8)

Temptation—beguiling; seducing; enticing; corruption.  (Proverbs 1:10; Matthew 4:3; Luke 22:40; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 2:18; 4:15; James 1:12,14; 1 Peter 1:6; 2 Peter 2:9)

Unbelief—doubt; faithlessness.  (Proverbs 3:5-8; Matthew 14:31; 17:19-20; 21:21; John 20:24-29; Luke 24:38; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:6)

Unfaithful—unfulfilled oaths and promises; betrayal; traitors; covenant breakers.  (Psalms 5:9; Matthew 24:10; 5:37; John 13:2; 2 Timothy 3:3)

Unforgiving (Proverbs 24:17; Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21; Mark 11:25; Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:9

Unthankful (Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 2 Timothy 3:2)

Vengeful—spite; revenge; getting even.  (Leviticus 19:18; Proverbs 24:29; Mark 11:25; Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 2:23; 3:9)

Victim—low self-esteem; loser mentality; persecution complex; martyr complex.  (Romans 6:14; 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Philippians 4:13)

Witchcraft—bewitching; seductive; speaking curses; Ahab and Jezebel spirits; conniving, control; domination; intimidation; manipulation; subtlety; scheming; innuendo; power of suggestion; rebellion; stubbornness; disobedience.  (Exodus 22:18;1 Kings 16:29-33; 18:17-22; Job 31:30; Proverbs 7:21; Psalms 10:7; 62:4; Romans 3:14; James 3:10; 1 Samuel 15:23; Matthew 7:23; Ephesians 2:3; Revelation 2:19-23)

Worried—troubled; burdened down with worldly cares.  (Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 55:22; Matthew 6:25-27,34; 11:28-30; Mark 4:19; John 14:27; 1 Peter 5:7)

Wounded—broken; crushed; down-trodden; won’t get close due to fear of being hurt again.  (Proverbs 18:8,14; 26:22; Psalms 34:18; 147:3; Isaiah 53:5)