The power of the tongue
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
Words That Live: Speaking Life Vs. Death
Words That Live: Speaking Life Vs. Death
Bible Passage: James 3:9–10
Bible Passage: James 3:9–10
Summary: In James 3:9-10, the author highlights the power of the tongue and its ability to bless and curse, emphasizing the inconsistency in our speech as followers of Christ.
Big Idea: The big idea is that our words possess the incredible power to bring either life or death, and as followers of Christ, we are called to choose life-giving speech that reflects Christ's love and truth.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
1. Blessing Words Bring Life
1. Blessing Words Bring Life
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
There’s a lovely old story about a little girl who was shy and often overlooked. One day, she decided to compliment her classmates every chance she got. She would say things like, 'You did great on that presentation!' or 'I love your shirt!' Slowly, her classmates began to open up and include her in activities, breathing life into her little circle. This reflects how, as Christians, our words can be the source of encouragement and life, much like Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that 'the tongue has the power of life and death.'
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
We Praise God We Bless His Holy Name We sing of our thankfulness, then before we leave maybe a word of gossip escapes our mouth, mabe a word of deceit spreads , maybe a sly word of being more important, maybe we say to our self these thing.
Words have Power as much as we can sit here and sing Sticks and Stones may break my Bones but Words will never hurt me that simply is not true
Gods desire is that we use our tounge to first sing of his praises to bless his holy name but also to speak life to one another and to ourselves
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
2. Cursing Contradicts Our Calling
2. Cursing Contradicts Our Calling
from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
look at this paradox of using the same tongue to both bless and curse, this points to the need for consistency in Christian speech. Reflect on Christ's example, whose words consistently conveyed truth and love, and be mindful of their speech. I want to Encourage you today to examine areas where you might be inadvertently speaking harmfully
My grand mother said if you have nothing nice to say dont say anything at all
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
You may often find yourself caught in the whirlwind of daily stress at home, leading to sharp words that hurt your loved ones. This week, before any conversation, take a moment to breathe deeply and ask yourself how you can speak love and encouragement instead. Try starting each family interaction with a compliment or an expression of gratitude. This not only changes the atmosphere but sets a precedent for communication rooted in Christ's love.
At work, negative talk about coworkers can be a default that creates a toxic environment. If you find yourself gossiping or grumbling, challenge yourself to replace that habit with prayers for your colleagues. Commit to clarifying misunderstandings directly and encourage your teammates by acknowledging their hard work. This fosters unity and reflects Christ's grace, allowing your workplace to become a more positive space.
When out in public, it might feel convenient to avoid meaningful conversations, resulting in detached and superficial interactions. Choose one public place this week—perhaps your local coffee shop—where you can intentionally start a conversation with a stranger. Greet them warmly, smile, and ask about their day. You could even share a small story of encouragement or hope, serving as a light that shines Christ’s love in our increasingly busy and disconnected world.
3. Conflicting Tongues, destroy Gods Sacred Image
3. Conflicting Tongues, destroy Gods Sacred Image
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man.
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
The sacred image of God in humanity
How can we dare destroy it with our words what make us think that they are less important than we are how arrogant how unloving how ungodly
Our Speech has the power to affirm or degrade that image. or at least how that image is seen by that person.
When we speak hateful hash sparp bitterness do you think that the Glory of God is seen ?
When we speak down to another make them feel unworthy un loved do you think they feel as though the were made in the image of God?
How about how you speak to yourself ? do you leave yourself feeling like you are truly born and bought and loved in the image of God? or to be honest do you beat your self up too much ?
Illustrate Christ’s interaction with others, where his words constantly affirmed their worth and dignity. Urge believers to ask themselves whether their words affirm the divine image in others, thus encouraging them to move towards love and grace in their interactions.
When Our speech especially as a Christian does not build one another up it destroys the image of God
and for Some it destroys their perception there is a God.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.
4. The Power to Speak Life or Death
4. The Power to Speak Life or Death
I want to be clear im not promoting a name it claim it theology here , But i do want you to think with me through this. I had this conversation driving back from brownwood with Silvia the other day and simply my question to her was are we speaking life or death fear or hope faith or unbelief
In our situations what are we speaking is everything a problem
are we on the look out for what is wrong next
do we think that everything and every one is out to get us
do we live as though our life is just always falling apart
would people say we were pessimistic or optimistic.
Do you claim your a realiest because to deny your pessimism
If we live and speak as though there really is nothing but problems then are we not missing out
We have the Power to speak death or Life Speak Life Speak Love Speak kindness Speak gentleness Speak encouragement Speak wisdom Speak
We have the Power to Speak Faith or Fear
Choose Faith not Fear Fear is from the enemy trying to steal your hope if you are always living on edge you are not living Jesus wants you to live he came so that you may but you have to Come by faith and not by fear
No you cant fear your way into heaven no Sir
No maam i cannot scare the hell right out of you no way you must come by faith by allowing your faith to overcome your fear you will live and be set free
Speak Hope not doubt
Doubt is the opposite of faith Speak Hope
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
So Speak Hope Speak Love Speak Life
Let us pray....
