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Words Have Power
Are Words More Important Than Behaviours?
Are words important?
Matthew 12:37: For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
We are either justified by our words or our words condemn us. Choose your words wisely. If your words do not line up with scripture, you are condemning yourself.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Proverbs 4:24-25
If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2)
Is behavior the only aspect of our walk with Christ that matters? False preachers use plenty of words. The media uses plenty of words.
How do we as believers use our words wisely to minister truth and grace to others, how do we use words to honor and glorify God?
When we look for the answers in the Bible we learn that both words, and actions are equally important.
When we stand before the Lord on Judgment Day, we will be accountable for every word spoken and every thought. If our words and thoughts do not line up with His Word we will be in a heap of trouble.
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3 (KJV)
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Proverbs 15:1-2
Matthew 12:36-37 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou
wicked servant... (Luke 19:22)
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
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.
Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
(Living Water (God's Word) is God's Words flowing out of us in to the lives of others)
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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.
The things that we say or fail to say serve as a barometer of our character. James 3:1-12 shows us that the ability to master our words is both a metric for and a mark of spiritual maturity.
Father, Your Word is Truth. Your Word is the gospel good news of Jesus Christ. Father, far too often our words to others are not good and especially not Good News. We use your gift of speech to boast about our accomplishments, puff ourselves up, be prideful, self righteous, to hurt others, etc. We use our words to speak harshly and to criticize or control others. We put down other people who are different. We do not fear You, Father. Father forgive us. Help us to choose our words carefully and faithfully from scripture, not our own thoughts or words. Father, may we use words for good and to Your Glory. May our words be like fresh water from a spring that gives the Good News of the Gospel, Life, and Truth to those who hear them. Amen.
The ethical instruction by James is the taming of the tongue. In the Book of James, 43 % of scriptures (46 of the letter’s 108 verses touch on matters of speech). It is a lie to believe that sticks and stones break bones but words will never hurt.
James 1:19 states Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: Believers must be "swift to hear", "slow to speak" and “slow to wrath”. We should be patient with those God has brought in to our lives and we should back up our carefully chosen words with deeds.
James 2:14 What good is it ... if you say you have faith but have not works? This letter of James has much to teach us about what we say to one another and how we say it.
Are we respectful and kind when we communicate with the people in our lives? Do we make assumptions? Do we respectfully listen to the other person regardless of whether or not we think what they have to say is important to us?
2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Do our choice of words glorify God? Are we speaking the world's words in to the lives of others? Are God's Words flowing through us in to the lives of others? Can the people in our lives see Jesus in us?
James 4:11-12 warns believers against speaking condemning words of judgment about or to one another. To do so, James says is tantamount to speaking evil against and judging the law and speaking evil which places one in the untenable position of judging the law as opposed to doing it.
James 2:8 shows us that believers are to love their neighbors and show mercy towards them.
James 2:13: For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James 5:12 calls for believers to speak truthfully. This echoes Jesus' own instruction (Matthew 5:34-37; 2 Cor 1:17) Straight forward truth-telling renders unnecessary assurances and verbal props. It also safeguards believers from incurring divine judgment (James 3:1 and Matthew 12:36-37).
John 17:17 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.
We are to be as little children, only doing and saying what our Father says, what the Holy Spirit tells us to say.
Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
James 3:1-12 is the most convicting instruction regarding speech in Scripture. It features three analogies: taming the tongue is necessary for faithful actions just as a bridle is required to control a spirited horse, a rudder is needed to steer a ship and merely a spark can consume an entire forest. A spark from our tongue can start a lot of uncontrolled destruction in our lives and the lives of others.
We never know when we are entertaining angels.
Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Let our communication be holy conversation and godliness. Choose words wisely. Fear God.
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