Sunday School Lesson Outlines

Can You Count To Ten

Then do it! Don't be Peevish. That's you new word for the week. It means don't get irritated over unimportant things, hurtful words, actions, etc. Think of a STOP sign. Instead pause and remember how to react (which is usually by not reacting at all). It's not worth it. There are too many important things God has put us here to do to be caught up in word games and wearing our feelings on our sleeves. Don't get all riled up to where you almost loose your witness as a Christian.

Best friends, spouses, parents, siblings, co-workers will all get around to it eventually (and usually unintentionally). Even if it was intentional, be the bigger person and hold Scripture tight.

James 1:19-20 "This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." NASB

You don't have to respond at all!

James 1:26 "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless." NASB

a. We can use our tongues to destroy our joy.

As with many temptations and trials, our goal is always to TRY and be like Jesus. Remember the bracelets we used to all wear that had WWJD on them? This represented "What Would Jesus Do". That's what we need to be thinking. Because in our lives there will be times where we feel like we are alone in a crowd being persecuted or picked on, etc.

Psalms 57:4 "My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword." NASB

b. We can use our tongues to do evil.

• Ask yourself: what you are so upset about and identify it.
  Clarify if you were hurt, rejected, misunderstood, lied to, etc.
  

Psalms 120:2 "Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue." NASB

• Just don't open our mouths
  That seems to be the second step. If we don't open our lips then nothing can come out. If it didn't have to do with kingdom of God, then it is trivial. Don't be (peevish). Don't let the sun go down on your anger. Learn how to let it go. Some people like to make a habit out of embarrassing or hurting others.
  

Jeremiah 18:18 "Then they said, 'Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the sage, nor the divine word to the prophet! Come on and let us strike at him with our tongue, and let us give no heed to any of his words.'" NASB

c. We can use our tongues to attack others.

Jeremiah 23:31-32 "'Behold, I am against the prophets,' declares the Lord, 'who use their tongues and declare, "The Lord declares." Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,' declares the Lord, 'and related them, and let My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit,' declares the Lord," NASB

d. We can use our tongues to lead others astray.

Exodus 34:6-7 "Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.'" NASB

e. We can use our tongues to PRAISE God.

Acts 2:11 "Cretans and Arabs - we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." NASB

f. We can use our tongues to proclaim the Gospel.

Psalm 126:2-3 "Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.' The Lord has done great things for us; We are glad." NASB

g. We can also use our tongues to LAUGH and SING SONGS in celebration; like the angels in Heaven.

You see, our tongues can rob us of the true joy God has for us. You have the ability to turn the table because you have living inside of you the Holy Spirit of God.

Proverb 25:21-22 "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For youwill heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you." NASB

In order to do this you must:

• Get a plan
  

Be in constant prayer and know in advance how you will respond to words and actions that hurt or irritate. Another example would be:

Luke 23:34 "But Jesus was saying, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves." NASB

Would you really be able to take all of what Jesus went through in his life on earth, and especially those last few days,and still be able to say I forgive them all? With the faith of a mustard seed you can. You see it's not just water or food that your enemy might be in need of. This is just Jesus' simple example. It could be a smile or debt forgiven, a word, or action forgiven. Maybe help when they don't deserve it, etc. The point is, if you're doing what's right in the eyes of the Almighty, you will move mountains and people will notice.

So if doing something silly to help our basic minds accomplish this, then do it. Dangle a red stop sign in you car to remind you to stop before you speak or gesture - a sticky note in you wallet so you remember not to be curt with a cashier who is slow. An index card above your desk or on your fridge where those intrusive questions get asked. Isn't it worth anything you can think of to do this right?

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