Locking In: The Power of Our Words

The call today is to “lock in”—to fix our attention on Jesus and live out a faith that is real, active, and visible in every part of our lives. In a world full of distractions and noise, it’s easy to let our focus drift, but James reminds us that true faith is not just what we believe, but how we live, speak, and respond. The urgency of our times, especially in the face of spiritual opposition and tragedy, demands that we stand up for truth and refuse to be passive or distracted. Every believer is challenged to deny the flesh, pick up the cross, and intentionally lock in on the things of God, knowing that tomorrow is not promised.

James chapter 3 brings us to one of the most difficult areas to control: our words. The tongue, though small, has immense power to direct our lives, build or destroy, and reveal the true state of our hearts. Our words are not just empty sounds; they are seeds that shape our relationships, our destiny, and even our spiritual health. The way we speak can either align us with God’s purposes or lead us into destruction. The world may encourage us to “manifest” or “speak to the universe,” but as followers of Christ, our words are anchored in faith in the living God, not in wishful thinking or cosmic forces.

Three truths stand out: First, our words determine our direction. Like a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder on a ship, the tongue steers the course of our lives. If we constantly speak defeat, negativity, or fear, our lives will follow that path. But when we declare God’s promises and speak life, our faith rises and our steps align with hope and truth. Second, our words can ruin what we’ve built. Just as a small spark can set a forest ablaze, careless words can destroy relationships, dreams, and even our witness. The consequences of our speech can be lasting, and once spoken, words cannot be taken back. Third, our words reveal our hearts. The tongue is a mirror of the soul; what comes out of our mouths exposes what is truly inside. If we want to change our words, we must allow God to transform our hearts.

The solution is not mere behavior modification, but a new heart—a supernatural transformation that only Jesus can bring. As we fill our minds and hearts with God’s Word and invite His Spirit to take control, our speech will begin to reflect His truth, peace, and love. The challenge is to examine what our words reveal about us and to surrender our hearts anew to Christ, allowing Him to direct our lives toward His purpose and blessing.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Direction of Your Life Follows Your Words Just as a small bit directs a powerful horse, the words we speak set the course for our lives. If our speech is filled with defeat or negativity, our lives will mirror that reality. But when we align our words with God’s promises, we invite His direction and blessing into every area. Our words are not just reflections of our circumstances—they are instruments that shape our future. [12:56]
• 2. Words Can Destroy What Took Years to Build A single careless word can undo years of trust, love, or credibility. Like a spark that ignites a wildfire, our tongues can unleash destruction far beyond what we intended. The consequences of our speech often outlast the moment, affecting relationships, families, and even our spiritual legacy. We must be vigilant, recognizing that our words carry the power to either build up or burn down. [21:12]
• 3. The Tongue Reveals the True Condition of the Heart Our speech is a window into our soul. Praise and cursing coming from the same mouth expose the duplicity within us. If our words are harsh, critical, or negative, it points to deeper issues in our hearts—anger, insecurity, bitterness, or fear. True transformation begins not with the tongue, but with a heart surrendered to God, allowing Him to cleanse and renew us from the inside out. [27:30]
• 4. Real Change Requires a New Heart, Not Just Better Habits Trying to control our words without addressing the heart is like polishing a car with a broken engine. We need more than self-discipline; we need a new heart that only Jesus can give. When we invite Christ to transform us, He doesn’t just modify our behavior—He makes us new, enabling our words to reflect His grace, truth, and love. [29:59]
• 5. What You Feed Your Mind and Heart Will Flow From Your Mouth The content we consume—whether God’s Word or the world’s negativity—will eventually shape our speech. If we fill our minds with truth, encouragement, and the promises of God, our words will bring life and peace to those around us. But if we dwell on gossip, criticism, or fear, our speech will reflect that darkness. The challenge is to be intentional about what we allow into our hearts, knowing it will overflow in our words. [32:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:29] - Honoring Leadership and Family
• [01:42] - What It Means to “Lock In”
• [02:56] - Faith That Is Lived, Not Just Believed
• [03:34] - The Urgency to Stand for Truth
• [04:49] - Setting Our Minds on Things Above
• [06:02] - The Power and Volume of Our Words
• [07:16] - James 3: The Challenge of the Tongue
• [09:08] - Words Carry the Power of Life and Death
• [10:26] - Three Truths About the Tongue
• [12:20] - The Bit and the Rudder: How Words Direct Us
• [14:13] - The Health of Our Words Reflects Our Spiritual Health
• [16:44] - Speaking Faith: Not Manifesting, But Trusting God
• [19:09] - Aligning Our Words With God’s Promises
• [21:12] - Words Can Destroy What We’ve Built
• [23:07] - The Chain Reaction of Careless Speech
• [25:37] - The Tongue Reveals the Heart
• [28:42] - The Solution: Get a New Heart
• [32:37] - What You Feed Your Heart Will Flow Out
• [33:52] - Examining What Our Words Reveal
• [35:04] - Surrendering Our Tongue to Christ

Bible Reading

James 3:2-10 (ESV) — > For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) — > Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Matthew 12:34b (ESV) — > For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Observation Questions

1. According to James 3, what are the two main illustrations James uses to describe the power of the tongue? ([07:16])
2. What does Proverbs 18:21 say about the impact of our words? ([09:08])
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of how words can either build up or destroy relationships and situations? ([21:12])
4. What does Jesus say in Matthew 12:34 about the connection between the heart and our words? ([27:30])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think James compares the tongue to a bit in a horse’s mouth and a rudder on a ship? What does this say about the influence of our words on the direction of our lives? ([12:20])
2. The sermon mentions that words can destroy what took years to build. Why are words so powerful in shaping or breaking relationships, trust, and even spiritual legacy? ([21:12])
3. How does the way we speak reveal the true condition of our hearts, according to both James and Jesus? ([27:30])
4. The sermon says that real change requires a new heart, not just better habits. Why is behavior modification alone not enough to change our speech? ([29:59])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “lock in” and not let our focus drift. What is one area of your life where you feel most distracted or unfocused on God? What practical step can you take this week to “lock in” on Jesus in that area? ([04:49])
2. Think about the words you most often speak at home, work, or with friends. Are they more often filled with faith and hope, or with negativity and fear? What is one specific way you can start speaking more life-giving words this week? ([12:56])
3. The message says that a single careless word can undo years of trust or love. Can you recall a time when your words hurt someone or damaged a relationship? What would it look like to seek forgiveness or make things right? ([21:12])
4. The sermon points out that our words are a mirror of our hearts. What do you think your recent words reveal about what’s going on inside you? Is there something in your heart you need to surrender to God for healing or change? ([27:30])
5. The pastor said, “Trying to control our words without addressing the heart is like polishing a car with a broken engine.” What is one way you can invite Jesus to transform your heart, not just your speech? ([29:59])
6. The content we consume shapes our speech. What are you feeding your mind and heart with most often—God’s Word or the world’s negativity? What is one change you can make this week to fill your heart with more of God’s truth? ([32:37])
7. If someone could listen to a recording of all your conversations from the past week, what would they learn about your faith and your heart? Is there anything you would want to change moving forward? ([33:52])