Message Notes

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

1 Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

2 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks proud things,

4 Who have said,
“With our tongue we will 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 has given Me
The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned.

5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear;
And I was not rebellious,
Nor did I turn away.
6 I gave My back to those who struck Me,
And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;
I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

7 “For the Lord GOD will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.

8 He is near who justifies Me;
Who will contend with Me?
Let us stand together.
Who is My adversary?
Let him come near 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