2 Timothy 2:14-18 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.  15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.  17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;  18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

Prop: You must be certain that your speech glorifies God

I.  Words Divide – vs. 14

·         The wrong type of words causes strife.

·         It’s easy to do right with our tongues; only when we have our conversations before God.

·         God hears everything we say; God knows why we say things; also the reasons why we say something.

1.      So what are words? Words are tools of building or destroying.

2.      Believers’ should not argue with other believers’

·         Who is our enemy? The Devil

·         We sometimes abuse our words

·         Sometimes we find fault in others

·         Christians should be Good stewards of our words.

·         We are accountable to God for our speech.

II. CONTROLYOUR SPEECH –VS. 15

·         God’s approval comes after testing.

·         We should desire to please God with our words.

·         Who made you mouth? God Why? For His Glory”

·         Our goal is to please God.  - 1 Thessalonians 4:11  And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

·         Be careful of what we listen to and whom we listen to.

·         Vs. 15 “not be ashamed”

·         If we control our words there will be no shame.

·         Ask God to give you wisdom & discernment.

III.  DETUCTIVENESS OF THE TONGUE vs.16-18 (Cf. James 3)

·         Vs. 16 - profane and vain babblings

·         Profane is the opposite of Holiness

·         Vain means empty speech.

·         Empty words are ungodly words.

·         Loose talking is a sense of loose living.

·         By words you see what is in the heart.

·         Empty words are the cause of many other sins.

·         Paul mentioned 2 men who were trouble makers.

God has much to say about our speech. This morning is your speech pleasing to God? Do we build up people? Or do we destroy people with our words. One day we will give account to God for every word.

 You must be certain that your speech glorifies God.