Would you turn to two places in the scripture this morning, James 2 and Proverbs 18?

James 3, I think I said 2, but it's James 3 and Proverbs 18.

Let's go further into the word.

We've been talking about the power of the tongue, and I want us to go further into it today.

James chapter 3 and verse 2.

It says, in many things we offend all.

If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

The word perfect means complete, fully developed. You can tell how mature you are

spiritually by how often you miss it with your mouth. If you really are growing up and developing spiritually, you'll go for days and not say stupid

stuff.

You'll go for months.

If you really becoming mature, you'll go a year at a time and not say unbelieving bad stuff.

But if you're just saying dumb stuff, you know, every other breath, then you are a baby,

baby Christian.

You are not developed.

And so should we grow up?

I got four nods and a grunt.

You think we ought to grow up?

Yes.

Is there an indicator?

How can you tell you're growing up?

If you don't miss it in what you say, you are a completely developed individual and able to control things in your life, including your whole body.

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