The Power of Words
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The document emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our words, as they can have significant positive or negative impacts on ourselves and others. It draws from biblical references to illustrate that the tongue wields power and can influence the course of life, urging caution in speech. Ultimately, it calls for self-awareness, reflection, and prayerful consideration of what we choose to express.
The Power of Words
- 1. What are the words coming out of your mouth?
- 2. Some go to the trouble to hear things they should not, such as secrets, or private discussions. However, others unconsciously walk into these conversations, not meaning to pry. Either way, we need to try our very best to always be aware and cautious of the things we say. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, And let us run with patience the race God has set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
- 3. We also need to be aware and cautious of the things we may constantly confess upon our lives, or in the lives of others (Such as our own family). What we say may have more influence than you think. Even when it is not spoken directly at anyone in particular, what you say may have a positive or a negative effect on someone. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21
- 4. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21 We have the choice in what we speak. What we speak can produce… LIFE HOPE PEACE BLESSINGS HEALING RESTAURATION
- 5. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” – Proverbs 18:21 Or it can produce… DEATH DISCOURAGEMENT WAR CURSES PAIN DESTRUCTION The choice is ours to make, so let’s make the right one.
- 6. The tongue is very powerful. It can be a great source of GOOD or… EVIL. That’s why the Bible constantly warns us to guard our mouths. “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks will come to ruin.” – Proverbs 13:3 “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.” – Proverbs 21:23
- 7. What we constantly speak or communicate to others is not an issue of a single thought. But rather, it is something much more rooted. It is an issue of the Heart. “…For it is with the heart that we believe.” -Romans 10:9 -“For out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart the mouth speaks.” -- Matthew 12:34
- 8. Words of Anger, Hatred, Bitterness, Envy, Strife, etc. can be a powerful and destructive cycle, and is usually spoken by people who have allowed those roots to build. -“For out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart the mouth speaks.” -- Matthew 12:34 -BUT WE CAN PUT A STOP TO THAT CYCLE
- 9. “1 My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because we know that we teachers will be judged more strictly. 2 We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely. 3 When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies.” – James 3: 1-3
- 10. “4Consider ships: they are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder. 5 In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things…” – James 3: 4-5a
- 11. “Think about this: a small flame can set a whole forest on fire. 6 The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us. It contaminates our entire lives. Because of it, the circle of life is set on fire. The tongue itself is set on fire by the flames of hell.” – James 3: 5b-6
- 12. “9With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn’t be this way! 11 Both fresh water and salt water don’t come from the same spring, do they? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? Of course not, and fresh water doesn’t flow from a saltwater spring either.”
- 13. The tongue can be used to spread God’s Word, or to spread Gossip. What is gossip? “Idle talk or rumor, esp. about the personal or private affairs of others…go about tattling…” (W.D.) “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not” – 1 Tim. 5:13
- 14. Think about this… Don’t think that because the gossiper spoke to you about someone else, that they don’t speak about you to others.
- 15. There must be a difference between the Church of Christ and the world. However, sometimes without even noticing we may impulsively decide to talk about, or criticize others, including the family of God. Sometimes we might even gossip in the church, without even realizing that we are, and that’s when things can spin out of control.
- 16. “And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not” – 1 Tim. 5:13 The tongue can be used to heal a broken heart, or make matters worst. You can either speak words of faith, or doubt. Think about this… What kind of words Are we speaking words that are you speaking ? encourage, unite & uplift?
- 17. Examples of “…speaking things which ought not”: 1. False doctrine – Jas. 3: 1, Tit. 1: 9-11. 2. Being a busybody…- I Tim. 5: 13. 3. Making charges without proof – I Thes. 5: 21; Deut. 19: 15; 17: 2-6, I Tim. 5: 19. Be careful of the things you say, and think before you speak. Your words might be the difference between life and death. “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” - James 1:19
- 18. •BE QUICK TO LISTEN • BE SLOW TO SPEAK • BE SLOW TO GET ANGRY - James 1:19
- 19. “Don’t let your mouth cause your flesh to sin; neither say before the angel, that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?” - Ecclesiastes 5:6 Every word, promise and lie we make is being recorded, and we will have to give an account for them. That is why we must think before we speak.
- 20. “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Matthew 12:36-37 God has placed so much importance to the words we speak that in the day of judgment, we will all have to give an account for them. By our own words we will either condemn ourselves or justify ourselves. We will be declared innocent or guilty.
- 21. Once again, be careful of the things you say, and think before you speak. “Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” - Proverbs 29:20 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” - Proverbs 10:19 “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.” - Psalms 39:1
- 22. Conclusion & Declaration: “My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day…” : -Psalms. 71:15 Begin a habit of thinking on the right things. (Joshua 1:8; Phil. 4:8 ) Try to be more aware of the things you speak. (1Peter 5:8; Prov. 13:3) Pray, and submit your thoughts and words to God, so that HE may guide them. (James 4:7; Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18) And again, always think before you speak. (James 1:19)
- 23. The Decision is Yours
Editor's Notes
- #24: Say a prayer.