Reflect/Refocus/Recommit

Set Example in our speech

1 Timothy 4:12 NASB95

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

The bible is filled full of warnings about our speech

Matthew 12:36 NASB95

“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.

Proverbs 21:23 NASB95

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

James 1:26 NASB95

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

Proverbs 13:3 NASB95

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Luke 6:45 NASB95

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Ephesians 4:29 NASB95

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.

Unwholesome Words

unwholesome = words that bring people down = garbage or rotten words, same words in talking about bad fruit, its rotten it is decaying

Taking the Lord’s name in vain

Gossip - we like to use well it true so its not gossip. Why are saying what you saying what you are saying. How is it helping or encouraging the person you are talking about

complaining - the Israelites were notorious for there complaining - effect everyone, bring others down, slow progress, discourage. It never fixes a problem. Nobody like a complainer - you don’t fix anything you only create more problems. Num. 14:2-4, 26-29

critical - usually they are the ones who are not doing much in the first place

negative

mean words - There was no affection and no good will and no kindness in it. It was ugly. There was no moral beauty, no holiness, no love. It came from a garbage pile of pride and one-upmanship and anger and resentment

Why should we not do these things?

they do not nourish

it will probably make you sick

it makes the atmosphere unpleasant

the tree is diseased

Put off old self

Ephesians 4:22–24 NASB95

that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Edifying Words

clean, pure, uplifting words. words that build up instead of tear down. Words that heal instead make others sick

pure words

wise words

thoughtful words

encouraging words

loving words

kind words

compassionate words

understanding words

forgiving words

How do we clean up our speech?

Stop making excuses for your mouth

Talk less

Listen more

Lift others up

Put good thing in your heart