Understanding the Consequences of our Speech

Introduction

Hello and welcome to Sanctified Mind. I am honored that you are watching this and I hope that it will help you in your journey as followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This is the second video of a series addressing whether or not we have freedom of speech as Christians. In the last video we covered how we should and shouldn’t use our words as Christians and answered the question about whether God grants us freedom of speech. If you have not seen the first video, I would encourage you to watch it before you watch this one. I have provided a link to it in the description below and you can also click the video link shown here beside me.

Today, I want to explore the impact and consequences of our speech and draw inspiration from the lives of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the Apostle Paul to reflect on God's command to preach His Word and also consider the courage required to be faithful Christians in this world. We will explore our responsibility and accountability regarding what we say. As we embark on this journey together, let us remember the remarkable examples set before us.

If you like using worksheets to follow along in your studies you can download one for this lesson fee at my website SanctifiedMind.org. In the description below this video, you will find the link that will take you directly to the lesson worksheets. All you have to do is click the button on the website and it will give you immediate access to the worksheet for you to download. Also, I am providing several passage guides on scripture related to speech for further study. These are free to you and never require that you provide us an email address. But if you like what you see, please consider subscribing to this channel and clicking on the bell so that you will be notified of future videos.

As always, my intent is to point you to what scripture has to say so we will be looking at various passages together. If you have your own Bible I encourage you to use it whenever I reference specific passages from scripture. Feel free to pause the video and read from your own Bible. I will show each passage from the Bible so that we get the God’s word straight from the source.

Join me now as we get into the lesson.

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The Impact of our Speech

Our speech has an impact whether or not we are always aware of it. Everything that we say to another person has the potential to do good or to harm them in some way.

Our speech has the power of life and death.

To illustrate this we will revisit a proverb from the previous video.

Proverbs 15:4 “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

The first part should be quite obvious. When we are gentle in our words, we can lift a person’s spirit in their time of trouble. The second part includes this word “perverseness” which the Merriam Webster dictionary defines this way: “turned away from what is right or good”. God calls us to use our words properly for good. The definition also offers the following words “corrupt, & improper to describe perverseness. So when we use our speech in such a manner, this verse is telling us that it has the power to break the spirit of another human being. Let’s look at another verse that shows this again clearly.

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

I want to emphasize the word “grace”. Jesus gives us sinners grace and forgives us for our many failings. He did this even though none of us deserve it. In this passage, it should motivate us to exercise grace in our speech towards people who may in fact deserve something else. Why? Because that is what God did for us. Let’s look now at another passage from Colossians 4:5-6.

Colossians 4:5–6 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

When we walk in wisdom towards those who are not of our faith, we guard our tongue. We hold back comments that our sinful self would use to attack others. We are told to make better use of our time. Jesus told us that it was his will that ALL should be saved. How can we do that if we are using our time and our energy to poke back and those who poke us? Instead, we should use our time to understand how we are to respond, through the filter of the word of God so that when we find ourself in a situation that seams to be demanding an answer, we can give a proper response and understand that sometimes a proper response is silence.

Again we see that word gracious. It goes on to say “seasoned with salt” which carries the idea of pureness and incorruptibility and undoubtedly truth which we get from God’s word so that we know how to answer each person. This is what I am trying to teach in these lessons. I am showing you where to find the salt to season your speech so that the words that you speak will be acceptable to God and beneficial to those who hear them. Let’s look at one more example from the book of Isaiah 50:4.

Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.”

Isaiah acknowledges that God has given him words so that he can sustain a person who is weary. In other words, his words are to be used to encourage the one who worries thereby giving them life.

Our words can bring life or death in these ways.

Our speech can bring ruin or joy to the speaker.

Proverbs 12:13–14 “An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.”

Often times people find themselves in more trouble by opening their mouths when wisdom would have instructed them to keep it shut. The wise person thinks before they speak to consider whether there is any value in what they have to say. Even if there is value, there is consideration of whether that moment is the right time to speak. Jesus remained silent several times when he had every right to speak. Consider the words from James 1:19.

James 1:19–20 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

This again sets an example to fight impulse, guard the doors of our tongue and think before we speak. It is a challenge in a world that is motivated by selfish gain and that celebrates an answer to every offense. But God’s way for us is to let an offense pass and not answer. In fact, Jesus says in Matthew 5:38 the following:

Matthew 5:38–42 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”

So according to this example we are to take the offense, hold our words and when we do speak, we bless those who curse us and by doing so we bring joy to ourselves knowing that we did was right and pleasing to the one who took our offenses and put them on himself at the cross.

I would challenge you to try to speak only kind words and focus on building others up and see how good you feel after doing so. It will change your outlook on life and the people you interact with guaranteed.

Our speech can produce faith

How we represent Christ in our daily interactions, particularly our speech, has the potential to bring unbelievers into the faith. When we speak differently than the rest of the world, it causes those around us to shift as well.

Have you ever noticed people become uncomfortable and apologetic when they accidentally let curse words slip out in your presence of Christians who don’t cus in their everyday speech? This is the affect of light shining in darkness. The way that we speak has an affect on others and eventually it can lead them down a path of salvation. But another way that we can lead others to Christ is by finding opportunities to talk about Him. Let’s look at Romans 10:17.

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

People come to faith first by hearing the word. Here is an example in Acts 2:36-41.

In Acts 2:36–41 Peter is preaching to a crowed after the resurrection of Jesus. “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”

Our speech has the power of life and death, it can bring ruin or joy to the one who speaks, and it can produce faith in the one that hears. Now we are going to talk about the consequences of faithful speech.

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Consequences of Faithful Speech

As I have shown you, we are to be faithful in our speech. We are to use our words for building up bringing people along in the faith. Just as we are to keep certain things to ourselves so that we do not sin, we are also supposed to speak about our faith and our hope so that others can be won to Christ. However, we live in a world that is hostile to this gospel of Christ. So we must be prepared for what may happen to us when we do as we are commanded. We must know what to expect when light shines in a dark place. So I will give you one promised and two potential consequences for your faithful speech.

Faithful speech will lead to persecution

John 15:19–20 “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”

2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”

We will be persecuted but Jesus has told us this before hand and has given us instruction on how we are to respond to persecution. We are not to retaliate or curse our enemies but rather to pray for them. Also, we are to rejoice. Look at Matthew 5:10-12.

Matthew 5:10–12 ““Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Faithful speech can lead to the loss of freedom

Acts 16:20–24 “And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

Throughout history, individuals like Paul and Silas found themselves imprisoned for their faith. Their stories remind us that speaking boldly can sometimes lead to a loss of freedom. We must be prepared to endure hardships for the sake of our faith, knowing that God is with us.

Today in parts of the world, sharing the Gospel openly can lead to legal action and imprisonment. This is becoming increasingly common as the worlds hostility towards Christianity grows. In countries that were once safe havens for practicing Christians, it appears that even in these places, we are increasingly at risk. Just across the border to the north of the United States of America, pastors are being arrested for teaching the truth of our faith. People who are in public spaces who are speaking truth are being arrested too. And even in America, people are being arrested for speaking the truth and more is to come.

Faithful speech can lead to the loss of life

The ultimate consequence of speaking boldly for Christ can be seen in the lives of those who sacrificed everything. Stephen's martyrdom and the persecution faced by early Christians are stark reminders that some have paid the ultimate price for boldly proclaiming their faith. Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Tragically, there are still regions where speaking boldly for Christ can lead to the ultimate sacrifice—martyrdom. Christians in these areas live daily with the knowledge that their lives are on the line because of their faith. Their willingness to endure persecution and even death for the sake of the Gospel is a testament to the unwavering power of Christ's message.

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Responsibility

Now that we have talked about the impact of our words and the consequences of faithful speech what should we do? Should we remain isolated and dwell safely in our Christian communities and avoid the world? The answer is no. Instead we are to go into the world and make disciples. Let’s look at Matthew 28:18-20.

Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

We are commanded to preach the Word

In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul writes to his protege, Timothy, with a clear command: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." Paul's example of unwavering commitment to preaching the Gospel, even from prison, serves as a powerful testament to the command God has placed upon us. Like Paul and Timothy, we are called to boldly proclaim the Word of God, regardless of the circumstances.

Beyond the pages of Scripture, the early church fathers provide us with inspiring examples. Men like Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp, and Justin Martyr faced persecution, imprisonment, and even death for their unwavering faith and bold proclamation of Christ. Their willingness to endure suffering and sacrifice their lives for the sake of the Gospel should inspire us as Christians today.

We are commanded to stand unwavering in our faith

Speaking boldly for Christ is a journey that has many challenges. In a world that is hostile to Christianity, there can be severe consequences. These consequences may take the form of ridicule, discrimination, or opposition, but as believers, we are called to stand unwavering in our faith.

And this is where I want to take you to the book of Daniel. It is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They refused to bow down and worship a golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar set up. Any time music played, the king decreed that the people in the kingdom were required to worship the image. Since they refused, they were brought before the king and threatened to either bow down to the image or face certain death. Here is what they said to the king. Daniel 3:16–18.

Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.””

They trusted that God would deliver them but even if he didn’t they were prepared to die in order to remain faithful to God knowing that they would be rewarded.

We must be ready for any outcome.

Our responsibility as Christians is to preach the word, to stand unwavering in our faith and be ready for any outcome including death. Now let us look at accountability regarding our speech.

Accountability

God does not grant us freedom of speech

It should be apparent from the previous lesson and this one, that we do not have the freedom to speak any way that we wish. Although we do have free will, we are to use our speech only as the occasion fits for the purposes of building up the kingdom of God. Sometimes that comes in the form of a rebuke for the purpose of setting someone on the right path of sanctification. But more often it should be used to encourage, to press on and endure the struggles we all will face in our walk of faith. And it should be used to teach people the way of truth.

While we are free to speak as people with free will, we are never free from the consequences.

Every utterance from our mouths, everything we type and post on the internet and social media will have a cost. We will either pay that cost in the form of persecution here on earth for the truth we speak in love, or we will pay that cost to our King in heaven for the carelessness we have in our speech.

Jesus tells us that we will be held accountable for our words

The consequences may be challenging, but our faith and trust in God's sovereignty should remain unshaken. As we navigate a world that may not always embrace our beliefs, let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:32-33:

Matthew 10:32-33 "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 12:36–37 “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.””

Conclusion

In closing, let us reflect on our own willingness to speak boldly for Christ, even when faced with adversity. May we find inspiration in the courage of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Paul, Timothy, Stephen, and the enduring legacy of the church fathers who faced persecution, imprisonment, and death. As we go forth, may we remember that speaking boldly for Christ is not just our choice, but God's command, and it is a testament to our unwavering faith and trust in His plan for our lives.

As we conclude our discussion, I want to emphasize the importance of consistency in our faith. It's not enough to speak boldly about our faith one moment and then, in another breath, negate our profession by using our speech in a way that is clearly contrary to God’s word.

Our faith calls us to a higher standard, not just in our words but in our actions as well. In James 1:22, we are reminded to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." This means that our actions must align with our beliefs, and our words should reflect the love and truth of Christ in all circumstances. It's easy to become passionate about our faith in the safety of our church gatherings or among like-minded friends, but the true test of our faith is how we carry it into the world. It is in how we interact with those who have a different views or even how we speak to those who have wronged us. Our consistency in faith is a measure of our authenticity as believers.

In Matthew 12:34, Jesus said, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Our words reveal the state of our hearts. If we profess our faith but then use our speech in ways that contradict the love, grace, and truth of Christ, we are sending a mixed message to the world.

Let us resolve to be consistent in our faith, both in our words and our deeds. Let our speech be a reflection of the love and compassion of Christ, even when faced with opposition or adversity. Let us remember the words of Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

In a world that often values self-interest, anger, and division, our consistency in faith can be a powerful testimony. It can bridge gaps, heal wounds, and draw others to the transformative love of Christ. So, let us strive for consistency in our faith, speaking boldly for Christ and living out His teachings in every aspect of our lives.

I hope this lesson is a blessing to you and a guide.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; and give you peace.

Amen, and until next time...God bless.

Questions

Can you think of instances when your words have positively influenced others?

What eternal impact can your words have when you spread the message of Christ?

What eternal consequences can your words have if you speak foolishly?

Journal about a recent situation where their speech had a positive impact on someone or a situation where they faced opposition for their faith. Encourage them to reflect on how they can continue to use their words for God's glory in the future.