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Proverbs 15:4

Proverbs 15:4

layers Part 39 of 82 menu_book More on Proverbs lightbulb 2 illustrations in this sermon

Pastor Martin expounds Proverbs 15:4, contrasting a gentle tongue with a perverse one. He emphasizes that while physical violence can break bones, a perverse tongue can break the human spirit, a far more destructive outcome. Martin applies this truth to family relationships, urging parents to admonish their children regarding the use of their tongues and to use the rod of correction when admonition fails to prevent spiritual harm to others.

Primary Texts

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Proverbs 15:4 This is the sole passage expounded, forming the entire basis of the sermon's argument about the power of the tongue.

Outline 2 sections · 3 min

  1. The Destructive Power of a Perverse Tongue 0:00
  2. Application: Guarding Against Spirit-Breaking Tongues in the Family 1:28

Key Quotes

“a gentle tongue is a tree of life but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit”
“the tongue can do what the widest strap and the thickest rod cannot do a strap and a rod can break a man's skin or a man's bones but they can't break his spirit”
“there's something noble about an upright spirit speaking through a broken bruised abused and almost dead body a la stephen when the stones are pummeling down upon them lord jesus lay not their sin to their charge lord jesus receive my spirit what a noble spirit but the tongue can get in and pummel and break the human spirit”
“in which is more destructive of a person's humanity the breaking of the bones of the breaking of the spirit according to my bible the answers clear it says a wounded spirit”

Applications

All listeners

  • Do not use your tongue in a devilish, demonic way to break the spirit of others, including your wives, husbands, and children.
  • Parents, sit your children down, take these texts, and admonish them about the use of their tongues.
  • If admonition doesn't work and your children continue to use their tongues to bruise others' spirits, use the rod of correction to enforce faithful dealing.

A full transcript is available on the tab. 2 paragraphs, roughly 3 minutes.

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