Joseph M Stowell

Have you been able to gain control over your tongues since the start of the study? Be honest!

Read Matt 12:33-37

Why is God going to judge us for what we say? Why is this logical?

Give some examples of the good fruit we could be bearing. Why in general do we find this hard to do?

Read Proverbs 17:28. What extreme action could we take to solve our bad speech problems?!!!!

Obviously the answer to the above question cannot always be applied. So we need to examine what in our heart is causing our sinful speech. See Romans 3:10-18. Notice the emphasis on the “open grave,” a symbol of death and decay, what heart attitudes are behind sinful speech? Why are they destructive?

What is pride? Try to think of a good definition.

How does the heart attitude of pride contribute to sinful speech? See 1 Sam 1:2-8; Psalm 10:1-7; Psalm 73:6-11

See Ephesians 6:4. Why did God caution parents not to provoke their children to anger?

What do you think causes bitterness? How can we stamp out it’s affect on our speech?

Both the Israelites easy acceptance of the spies report regarding the Promised Land and the Pharisee’s opposition to Jesus had a particular heart attitude behind it? What is it? How does it affect our speech?

What does David’s plea in psalm 51 tell us about dealing with negative heart attitudes? What are some of the good things that come out of pride, anger and fear given over to God?