But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37
I want to start a series on “our words” because they have far more impact than we imagine and the spiritual realm takes our words much more seriously than we do. To begin the series I have listed a few verses about our words that you may want to reflect on over the weekend for some devotional time before I start commenting on them. The words of Jesus quoted above are quite sobering so I hope you (we) will take these verses to heart.
Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. Psalm 17:3
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:12-13
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecc.5:2
But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. Matthew 15:18
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only that which is good for building up the other person according to their needs. Ephesians 4:29
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 itself 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 the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 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. James 3:5-10
TOM,
I love this teaching!! I have printed all 3 parts out for out small group…….
Thank you so much for this,
Sue Roberson