Watch Your Mouth

INTRO

I’ve got some friends who use voice-to-text for everything.

You’ll be sitting there having a conversation, and suddenly they lift their phone and go:

“Hey COMMA I’m running a little late PERIOD I’ll be there soon DASH dash dash smiley face.”

And then for no reason:

“Wait—delete that… No, Siri! Backspace! Not back massage!”

By the end of it, I’m like, “You could’ve just texted it faster.”

And here’s what gets me—they say everything twice.

Once out loud… and once fixing it.

They speak… and then they correct.

And I thought, “That’s exactly what we need to learn to do spiritually.”

Because some of us have been speaking things into our lives without ever correcting them.

And now we’re living in the middle of what we accidentally declared.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

Proverbs 18:21 NLT

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

MAIN POINT

Your words are steering your life—so speak like it matters.

1. WORDS BUILD WORLDS

A. Creation started with a word.

God spoke the universe into existence with a word.

He didn’t build it with his hands, he declared it with his mouth.

Genesis 1:3 NLT

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Your words carry creative power too!

B. WHAT YOU SAY TO YOURSELF MATTERS.

I’m not good enough.

Nothing ever works for me.

I will always struggle with this.

Those aren’t throwaway phrases, those can become prophecies over your life.

C. SOME OF US ARE SPEAKING DEATH INTO GOOD THINGS.

Our words can contradict our prayers.

You’re cursing your marriage while praying for it.

You’re tearing down your calling while begging for clarity.

You’re discouraging your kids while asking God to bless them.

Stop asking God to bless what your mouth is breaking.

2. WORDS ARE WEAPONS OR TOOLS.

James 3:5 NLT

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.

A. THE TONGUE IS SMALL BUT STRONG.

Your words are either starting fires or building futures.

B. WEAPONIZED WORDS WOUND

Sarcasm stings. Gossip spreads. Criticism crushes.

Some of the deepest wounds people carry aren’t from fists, they’re from phrases.

For some, church has been the place where people have been hurt the worst by words.

Let that not be said about this house.

C. TOOLS BUILD THINGS THAT LAST.

Speak life into your home.

Speak blessing over your spouse.

Speak identity over your kids.

Your tongue is a tool. You can tear someone down in 5 seconds or build someone up for a lifetime.

3. DEATH AND LIFE LIVE IN YOUR DAILY CONVERSATION

It’s not just what you say in prayer, it’s also what you say in traffic, at work, or at the gym, or when no one’s listening.

A. DEATH = NEGATIVITY, FEAR, AND SHAME.

You can talk yourself into anxiety with just a few what if’s.

B. LIFE = FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE

Speak like someone who’s already been redeemed.

Don’t just quote the Bible, believe it and speak it.

Romans 10:10 NLT

For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

C. WHAT YOU KEEP SAYING, YOU START SEEING.

Your mouth is the thermostat for your mindset.

Speak life until it sticks, even when it’s easier to complain.

4. SPEAK LIFE WHEN IT’S EASIER TO STAY SILENT

A. ENCOURAGEMENT IS A SUPERNATURAL GIFT.

A word at the right time can change everything.

Proverbs 16:24 NLT

Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

B. SILENCE ISN’T ALWAYS SPIRITUAL.

Some of us aren’t speaking death, but we aren’t speaking life either.

Don’t withhold words that could heal, restore, or realign.

Speak life on purpose.

To your friends. To your family. To your church. To yourself.

C. JESUS SPOKE LIFE TO DEAD THINGS.

He said peace, be still.

He said Lazarus, come forth.

He said, “it is finished.”

If he did it and His spirit lives inside of you, so can you.

RESULT: RESULT OF INFO

You change the atmosphere of your home.

You become a thermostat, not a thermometer.

You invite heaven into your every day.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What have I been saying… that I need to stop?

What have I not been saying… that I need to start?

Are my words building or breaking?

If my heart is full of faith, do my words reflect it?

CHALLENGE: PERSONAL CHALLENGE

Text someone a word of encouragement today.

Speak a blessing over your family out loud.

Catch one negative phrase and replace it with truth.

CONCLUSION/CLOSE

Closing:

Your phone may not always get your voice-to-text right…

But what you say still gets recorded.

The question is: Are you leaving your life up to autocorrect?

Or are you taking authority over your words?

Some of us need to stop saying,

“I’m just tired… I’m just stuck… I’ll never change…”

and start speaking:

“I’m full of purpose… I’m growing in grace… God’s not done with me yet.”

Because if your words are steering your life, then it’s time to stop mumbling defeat and start declaring life.

So the next time you feel discouraged, do what your voice-to-text friends do:

Say it…

Then correct it.

Because life and death are in the power of the tongue.

CONCLUSION/CLOSE

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NLT

For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you.* Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.