Encouragement!
I have a bulletin with me with some notes that I took during service and I am basically going to type out word for word this bulletin along with my notes. This message was too influential for me to not be able to share.
Making My Words Matter
James 3:2 "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check."
How do words affect every relationship in my life?
What I say can wound people I love.
Proverbs 12:18 "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
( I know for me all it takes is hearing one harmful word to ruin my day. But to hear a compliment will put me on cloud nine. How can I help put someone on cloud nine?)
Psalms 52:4 "You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!"
(How true is that verse above! Especially with me! It is so easy to give into gossip, or to even initiate it! But why? Why would I do or say such harmful things about other people when I know that I too commit sins. I would be hurt deeply if someone said something against me.)
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
(I haven't always found that verse above to be true, but it doesn't mean that I shouldn't still apply it!)
What I say can bless people.
Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths. But only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Psalms 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD my Rock and my Redeemer."
(Above verse is an awesome prayer to pray.)
What I say has the power to control
James 3:3-4 "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
What I say has the power to destroy
James 3:5-8 "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. IT corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is its set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame his tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."
(Who knew our tongue was so dangerous.)
What I say reveals who I am
James 3:9-12 "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My bothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."
(Its the same concept of tell me that you love me and then with the same tongue you bad mouth my husband. If you loved me you wouldn't insult me by insulting my husband.)
My problem is not with my tongue its is in my heart
How do we change our words:
1. Start with the heart
Matthew 12:34 "You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks."
2. Ask God for help
Psalms 141:3 "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips."
(Prayer with the right motivation in mind does work!)
3. Think Before you speak
(How many times have I heard that before LOL)
James 1:19 "My dear brothers, take a note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
(If we all only took this above verse to heart, how much more peaceful would our lives be?)
*A special thanks to my husband for encouraging me!*
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