A free, Scripture-centered preaching companion to Taming the Tongue by Shawn Alexander.
Words can build up or tear down. James 3 confronts the influence of the tongue, the damage of sinful speech, and the contradiction of praising God while dishonoring people made in His image. These free church resources are designed to help pastors open Scripture faithfully, expose the heart beneath our words, and point hearers to Christ.
What’s included
- Expanded sermon outlines: historical and literary context, expository movements, supporting Scripture references, application, gospel connections, and selected quotations from the devotional.
- Presentation slides: the complete 37-slide visual series in a PDF suitable for presenting or printing.
- Fill-in-the-blank service notes: four church-ready handouts with space to follow the sermon and write a personal response.
Download the free resources
1. Sermon outlines: Download printable PDF · Download editable Word file
2. Presentation slides: Download 37-slide presentation PDF
3. Service notes handouts: Download print-ready PDF · Download editable Word file
No purchase, account, or email subscription is required to download these materials. An editable PowerPoint version of the slides is not available through this website’s current file hosting; please contact us if your church needs it.
Series at a glance
- Small Tongue, Serious Consequences (James 3:1–5a). The outsized influence and responsibility of our speech.
- When Words Become Wildfire (James 3:5b–8). The destructive power of sinful words and our need for grace.
- One Mouth, Two Messages (James 3:9–12). The contradiction between our worship and our treatment of people made in God’s image.
- Optional fourth message: The Heart Behind the Words (Luke 6:43–45; Ephesians 4:25–32). Lasting change begins deeper than the mouth.
Truth without love becomes harshness. Love without truth becomes sentimentality. One wounds while the other refuses to heal. Christ gives us something better: truth governed by love and love anchored in truth.
Shawn Alexander, Taming the Tongue, Day 10, “Speaking Truth in Love”
For churches and pastors
These are outlines, not scripts. Read the primary Scripture texts in context, use supporting passages carefully, and adapt illustrations and applications to the people you shepherd. Scripture remains the final authority. Christ is the hope of guilty sinners; better speech is a fruit of grace, never the price of God’s acceptance.
Churches may reproduce and adapt these materials for noncommercial worship, teaching, and ministry. Please retain Wretched Worm Publishing attribution and do not resell the packet.
Go deeper with the Taming the Tongue study
For groups wanting to continue beyond the Sunday sermons, Taming the Tongue: A 30-Day Devotional, the Participant Workbook, and the six-week Small Group Leader’s Guide offer a more sustained journey through Scripture. These books are optional; using the free sermons does not require a purchase.
Explore the Taming the Tongue books and study guides
Soli Deo Gloria.
