Sins of Speech

Is our speech sinful? Does it edify? 1. Slang Words: READ Ephesians 4:24-32 a. Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” b. The word “edify” means to teach in a way that improves the mind or character. Our use of words teaches the children. c. Ephesians 5:4 “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” d. Foolish talk: Basically anything that does not edify is foolish. e. Joking around is okay, but dirty jokes are not convenient; meaning they are not fitting or appropriate. f. Matthew 5:37 “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” g. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. h. Reflection: Listen for these things. 2. Lying: a. Colossians 3:9 “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds.” b. Lying damages your integrity. It lessens the view people have of you. It destroys your reputation or it gives you a new one. c. 📷God spoke against lying back in Exodus 20. The 9th commandment is “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” d. Psalm 101:7 says “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” e. Reflection: Liars live in secret; always hiding something. 3. Gripe & Complaining: a. I Corinthians 10:10 “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” b. Murmuring can destroy the moral of the people. c. I Thessalonians 5:18 “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” d. The verse speaks for itself. It is the inverse of murmuring. Give God praise for something rather than sitting around complaining about how things are done or how they are being ran. e. Reflection: “in everything give thanks.” 4. Critical, angry speech: a. Ephesians 4:31 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” b. Here we have the person who takes griping and complaining to a whole other level. c. Are you quick to raise your voice; Quick to take your ball and go home? Do you speak unkindly of others? d. Reflection: Where are you at? Are you stuck in the bitterness and anger or have you put off all that so that you might put on the new man who is kind and tenderhearted? V32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you,”

5. Division & Fighting:

a. I Corinthians 1:10 “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

b. Congregationally speaking I’m not aware of any fighting in our church but what about your personal life? RU Giving the silent treatment?

c. Speck – READ Luke 6:41-42 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.” Personal inspection.

d. If you find there is division, look first at yourself for you are the problem!

e. Forgiving – Matthew 5:23-24 “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

f. Don’t be so stubborn as to think you have to wait until they ask for forgiveness before you give it. That would be a mistake and contrary to God’s word. There can be no revival until we do this!

g. Reflection: This church cannot grow if there is division and fighting in it. Thus far I have not seen this sin in the church. That does not mean it does not exist in your home and in your family. If it does, if there is division and fighting in your home let me assure you, You are the problem and You must get the beam out of your own eye before any issue can be resolved.

6. Critical of Leadership / Mistreatment:

a. I Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

b. Reflection: Are you guilty of speaking badly about any of the leadership in this church? Have you slandered any of the leadership? The Scripture is clear, they should be counted worthy of double honour. How often do they meet on behalf of the church body? How much of their time do they give overseeing the affairs of the church? The leadership of this church comes together to make decision for the well-being of this church, in accordance with the will of GOD, never to the detriment. If you do not agree then respectfully voice your opinion.

7. Conclusion:

a. Words can hurt but they can also teach. Ask yourself does the way I talk glorify God or does it inhibit the work of the Lord?

b. We need everyone on board and headed in the same direction if GOD is to use us; to revive us.

c. We are seeking to be revived and we desperately need everyone, prayerfully, on the same page. I need you here and I need you praying.