THE SANCTIFIED TONGUE AND THE CALL TO TRUE CHRISTIAN INTEGRITY By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 18:21
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Introduction
The tongue is one of the smallest members of the human body, yet it possesses immeasurable power. According to Scripture, it holds the ability to bring life or release death. In the prophetic admonition that forms the foundation of this lesson, the Spirit of God brings correction, warning, and enlightenment concerning the use of our words and the condition of Christian character in these last days. God reveals that many who claim to love Him are being exposed by the misuse of their tongues—speaking blessing in one moment and backbiting in the next. Such inconsistency reflects a deeper issue: a lack of surrender to the Spirit of God and a contamination of the heart through worldliness.
This lesson seeks to provide a deep, scriptural, spiritual, and practical examination of the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue, the consequences of hypocrisy in the Body of Christ, and the urgent call to integrity, holiness, and spiritual maturity. It also exposes the spiritual decay within much of the contemporary church and highlights God’s expectation for the believer—to stand as a pure and uncompromising light in a world drowning in darkness. As we walk through these teachings, we will examine biblical principles that challenge us to align our speech, character, and conduct with the holiness of God.
The message also reminds us that God is intimately aware of every person’s strengths and weaknesses. He alone chooses, appoints, and positions His people in the Body. Therefore, believers must refrain from destructive criticism and judgmental attitudes. Instead, we are called to humility, discernment, and a commitment to God’s standards in all things—even when the world, and sadly even the modern church, chooses compromise.
Through the Scriptures and the prophetic insights provided, this lesson will inspire you to guard your tongue, reject the corrupting influences of the age, and walk firmly in the integrity of Christ. Ultimately, it calls you to be a beacon of hope and righteousness, carrying the light of God into a world engulfed by moral and spiritual darkness.
Let us now enter into the heart of this message and learn what the Spirit is saying to the Church in this crucial hour.
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THE POWER AND DANGER OF THE TONGUE
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
James 3:5
The tongue reveals the true spiritual condition of a person. God warns His people that the tongue, though small, can release words that are “hellish and damning.” Many believers praise God with their mouths but use the same mouth to slander, judge, and devour fellow Christians. This double speech contradicts the very nature of God.
A tongue not surrendered to the Holy Spirit becomes a weapon in the hands of the enemy. Words spoken carelessly can destroy reputations, break unity, wound the innocent, and grieve the heart of God. It is impossible to claim maturity in the faith while lacking discipline in speech. God clearly instructs His people to yield their tongues to Him alone, for He is the One we are meant to please.
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THE CALL TO SLOW ANGER AND SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
James 1:19
Believers are commanded to be slow to anger and cautious in speech. Much of the backbiting and criticism within the Body of Christ stems from impatience, uncontrolled emotion, and spiritual immaturity. God does not want His people to judge according to human opinions or emotional impulses. Instead, He calls us to discern through the lens of His Word and His Spirit.
Jesus warned that before correcting a brother, one must first remove the “beam” from his own eye. Many Christians quickly point out the faults of others while ignoring their own hidden weaknesses. God reminds us that everyone has shortcomings, yet those He has chosen remain precious in His sight. If God has accepted someone into His Body, who are we to tear them down?
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GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY IN CHOOSING HIS PEOPLE
“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.”
1 Corinthians 12:18
God emphasizes that each believer is uniquely placed within the Body of Christ according to His divine will. He knows every person’s strengths, weaknesses, and spiritual journey. When Christians criticize one another harshly, they often fail to consider that God Himself has placed that individual in their position.
Therefore, believers must avoid flesh-driven judgments, gossip, and comparisons. Instead of meddling in what others are doing or saying, our attention must remain fixed on God, our Commander-in-Chief. He alone gives instructions, assignments, and spiritual direction.
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THE LACK OF INTEGRITY IN MODERN CHRISTIANITY
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
2 Timothy 3:5
The prophetic message laments the decline in spiritual integrity among many who claim to be Christians. They enjoy gossip more than the Word of God, and their lack of self-control renders them unfit for spiritual battle. Such believers cannot be trusted to stand as watchmen, intercessors, or defenders of truth because they are ruled by fleshly desires rather than by the Spirit of God.
The modern church has compromised in shocking ways—endorsing immorality, celebrating perversion, and aligning itself with worldly entertainment. The prophetic word exposes scenes where believers applaud the immoral displays of this age, including practices that corrupt children and mock holiness. This failure to uphold God’s standards has opened the door to spiritual decay and darkness.
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HYPOCRISY IN THE CHURCH: THEN AND NOW
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Matthew 15:8
Just as Jesus confronted hypocrisy among the religious leaders of His day, the Holy Spirit addresses hypocrisy within the modern church. Many wear the mask of religion while harboring rebellion, hardness of heart, and worldliness. Their outward expressions of faith are empty performances that do not reflect the reality of Christ in their hearts.
Such actions bring shame to the Name of Jesus and grieve the Spirit of God. God warns that those who use His Name while living in friendship with the world are doubly accountable. He sees beyond the performance and judges according to truth and righteousness.
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THE CONSEQUENCES OF COMPROMISE AND WORLDLINESS
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?”
James 4:4
When Christians align themselves with the world—its entertainment, values, and behaviors—they disconnect themselves from the life and purity of God. Words spoken by such people are filled with death because they echo the world’s corruption rather than God’s truth. The result is spiritual emptiness, confusion, and darkness.
God insists that His people must walk in holiness and separation. He does not want His children to wallow in the filth of sin or carry the stench of worldliness. Instead, He has given them a high and holy path designed for their spiritual prosperity and joy.
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LIVING AS LIGHT IN A DARK GENERATION
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”
Isaiah 60:1
Despite the great darkness covering the earth, God promises that His people will have the light they need. He guides those who yield to His Spirit and keeps them from stumbling into destruction. Unfortunately, many who profess Christ are not helping the spiritually lost because they themselves prefer darkness over light. They approve sinful behaviors rather than correcting them in love.
True believers must shine as lighthouses—rescuing the bound, guiding the confused, and standing firm in righteousness. Those who walk in the Spirit can discern the times, resist deception, and speak words that bring life and hope.
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THE POWER OF THANKSGIVING AND RIGHTEOUS SPEECH
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Hebrews 13:15
God calls His people to use their tongues to glorify Him—giving thanks, praising His Name, declaring His truth, and releasing life-giving words. The mouth of a believer should be a fountain of blessing, not a channel of destruction. When we yield our speech to God, heaven responds with power, blessing, and divine presence.
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SUMMARY
This lesson has emphasized the vital importance of guarding the tongue, rejecting judgmental attitudes, and embracing spiritual integrity. God warns His people about the dangers of backbiting, hypocrisy, worldliness, and the lack of discernment in the modern church. He calls believers to yield their speech to Him, pursue holiness, and shine as lights in a dark generation. Every Christian must recognize God’s sovereignty in placing people within His Body and refrain from destructive criticism. Those who choose the world over God’s standards risk spiritual darkness, but those who follow the Spirit walk in light, purity, and divine guidance.
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CONCLUSION
God is calling His people to higher standards of holiness, integrity, and spiritual maturity. The misuse of the tongue is a major stumbling block in the Body of Christ, and believers must bring their words under the control of the Holy Spirit. As we reject worldliness and stand firm in righteousness, we become vessels of honor in God’s Kingdom. The time is urgent; the darkness is great. Yet through Christ, we can walk as children of light and remain faithful to the calling placed upon our lives.
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CALL TO ACTION
Commit today to surrender your tongue, heart, and life fully to God. Choose righteousness over compromise. Stand for truth even when the world rejects it. Become a watchman, an intercessor, a vessel of light. Refuse gossip, backbiting, and criticism. Build others rather than tearing them down. Let your speech glorify God and strengthen the Body of Christ.
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FINAL WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
God has not left you alone. He guides, strengthens, and equips those who seek Him wholeheartedly. Even in times of deep darkness, His light will shine upon your path. Walk boldly, courageously, and joyfully in His ways. Your life and your words can bring hope, healing, and salvation to many.
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SALVATION PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I come before You today knowing that I am a sinner in need of Your grace. I believe that You died for my sins and rose again for my salvation. Today, I ask You to forgive me, cleanse me, and make me Your child. I surrender my life to You completely. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and teach me to walk in Your ways. From this day forward, You are my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me.
Amen.
