Your Words Matter!
James 1:26-27
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 3:1-12
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judgedmore strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Your Words Matter!
Message #6: Your Words Matter!
James 1:26-27; 3:1-12
Key Questions: What is behind your words that give them such power?
Why do you say whatever it is that is coming out of your mouth?
What is propelling the words that flow forth from you?
What are the reasons and the motivation for saying what you do?
A. Our Words indicate our Maturity Level
James 3:2 - We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
B. Our words indicate the strength of our faith
James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
C. Our Words indicate what is stored up in our heart
Luke 6:45 (NLT) - A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
D. Our Words show us the direction our life is taking
James 3:3-5 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
Zig Ziglar said his faith in Christ helped him see that the true mark of success is something money can't buy — namely, peace of mind. He learned that, “we believe what we tell ourselves… You are what you are and where you are because of what’s gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.”
What we put into our minds and hold on to is what is going to come out of our mouths.
Do you say to yourself…
I am accepted. Ephesians 1:6
I am a valued child of God. John 1:12
I am Jesus' friend. John 15:14
I am redeemed and forgiven. Colossians 1:14
I am free from condemnation. Romans 8:1
I am a new creation because I am in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Colossians 3:12
I am a caring parent, or grandparent, or aunt, or spouse, or daughter or son
I believe God is pouring out his strength and love in me and through me to make the lives of others better which brings me greater fulfillment in this life!
APPLICATION: 3 questions that guide my conversations:
1. Am I ready and willing to truly listen to this person?
Knowing if you can be present with a person and really listen is one of the most important assessments you can make when engaging in a conversation.
2. What does this person and I want from this interaction?
… Is it to share information?
… Is it to discuss a concern?
… Is it to deal with a conflict between us?
… Is it to build a deeper relationship/friendship?
3. Lord Jesus… what do you most want this person to hear right now?
... I'm in a listening stance with God to be led by Him
… Sometimes it’s a word of affirmation
… Sometimes it is a challenge to think about
… Sometimes it’s a confrontation about something that is hindering them
… A few times it has even been an intervention
(you need someone to help you see what you can’t see right now)
... Many times is just to LISTEN FOR UNDERSTANDING!
Romans 10:9-10
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.