The Power of Our Words: Honoring God with Our Speech

Bible Passage: James 3:7–12

Big Idea: Our speech has the power to reflect God's character; let us choose to honor Him with our words and build each other up instead of tearing down.

Intro

Taming bear, our dog.

When we got married, had a dog named bear; morkie (maltese and yorkie)

really cute. Really annoying!

no one has been able to control that…

got loose, went to fight a German Shepherd! never been able to control him. He does what he wants! Luckily hes small…

Connect: the bible says there’s something about us that’s impossible to control on our own as well: our words.

God cares about the way you speak

Read James 3:7-12

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.

Recap

In the book of James

wisdom and living out our faith in practical ways

James gets even more practical with something we do every day - our speech.

teaches us a few things

The Tongue is very powerful (James 3:7-8)

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.

Taming animals: went to zoo…

saw lions, alligators, bears!

all under control…

James says that the tongue, though it’s a small part of our body is harder to control than the most wild animals…

God actually cares about how we use our words, and how we represent him with our words.

Why do you guys think its hard to control our words sometimes?

Sometimes when we’re angry, bad words can come out.

Sometimes when emotional or angry, we can say something to someone that we didn’t really mean.

God cares about our words for two reasons

Our words have the power to build or destroy the people He created. (James 3:9–10)

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.

Sticks and stones: Ever heard of the phrase: Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?

words hurt more than broken bones sometimes…

notice that last phrase… people made in the God’s likeness.

Project: Let’s say you did a project. you worked really hard on it…

if someone makes fun of the project, are they just making of the cardboard and result, or are they making fun of you in a way?

They are making fun of YOU because YOU made that project.

Connect: In the same way, when we speak bad things to people, we are speaking them towards God… because God made us!

2. Our words reveal our hearts (James 3:11-12)

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.

James is saying your words are important because they show what’s really in your heart.

What you put into your heart is what comes out.

When you watch or listen, or listen to people who say bad things and let that into your heart… that begins to come out naturally from you!

Application

How have you been speaking? Do your words reflect that you love Jesus or that you love the world?

How have you been speaking to your parents?

have you been gossiping about others in school?

Are you cursing in your daily life?

are you listening or watching things that are filling your heart and mind speech you shouldn’t use.

While the tongue is hard to control, James is really trying to tell us that it’s possible with Jesus.

Jesus controlled his speech when He was on the cross for you and for me.

“Father, forgive them…”

when you believe Him, he changes our hearts and our minds to say and be who He created us to be.

Repent and trust in Christ to change your heart.