Speaking Life: The Power of Words in Faith
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound wisdom of Proverbs chapter 10, focusing on the power of our words and the influence they carry. We began by discussing the characteristics of a wise person who, according to Proverbs, speaks truth and brings life through their words. This wisdom is not just about avoiding foolish speech but actively using our words to guide, nurture, and restore those around us.
We delved into the dangers of unwholesome talk, which isn't limited to obvious profanities but includes any speech that tears down rather than builds up. This concept is further supported by Ephesians chapter 4, which urges us to speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
A significant part of our discussion highlighted the role of a Christian in using speech to reflect Christ's love and grace. We examined how our words should be seasoned with grace and how, as leaders and influencers in every sphere of life, we are called to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our conversations.
We also contrasted different approaches to speaking truth through a review of two video clips. The first depicted a negative example of proclaiming truth without love, while the second showed a more constructive and respectful way to engage in conversations about faith, emphasizing the importance of humility and grace in our interactions.
Finally, we wrapped up with a call to action, encouraging each one to reflect on how our words align with our Christian witness. We were reminded that our speech should not only be true but should also reflect the transformative power of the gospel in our lives, promoting peace rather than conflict.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Words to Build Up or Tear Down: Our words have the power to build up or destroy. Proverbs and Ephesians teach us to use our words to edify others and impart grace. As followers of Christ, our speech should be a fountain of life, bringing encouragement and wisdom to those who hear us. This requires a heart transformed by God's grace, continually seeking to align our words with His love. [20:47]
2. Speaking Truth in Love: It's crucial to balance truth with love in our interactions. While it's our responsibility to speak truth, how we say it can either open or close the door to effective communication. We must avoid harshness and instead speak with the gentleness and respect that reflects our own receipt of God's grace. This approach fosters a more receptive environment for the gospel. [18:55]
3. The Role of Silence: Knowing when to speak and when to remain silent is a mark of wisdom. There are times when silence can be more powerful than words, allowing space for reflection and understanding. As we grow in our faith, we learn the value of tempering our urge to speak with the discernment to know when our words will truly be beneficial. [25:53]
4. Impact of Unwholesome Talk: Unwholesome talk goes beyond cursing to include any form of communication that does not contribute positively to those involved. This includes gossip, slander, and even the subtle use of words to manipulate or hurt others. Our call is to purge such talk from our lives, reflecting the purity and love of Jesus in every word we utter. [28:14]
5. Leadership and Influence Through Speech: Every believer is a leader in some capacity, influencing those around us through our words and actions. We are challenged to use our influence wisely, speaking with integrity and godly wisdom. This not only strengthens our relationships but also glorifies God by aligning our speech with His will. [24:43]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:01 - Introduction to Proverbs and Wise Speech
02:05 - Exploring Proverbs 10: Wise and Foolish Speech
03:08 - Characteristics of Foolish Speech
04:32 - The Importance of Truth in Communication
05:33 - The Necessity of Speaking the Gospel
06:56 - The Watchman's Duty: Ezekiel's Insight
08:01 - Our Role in Sharing the Gospel
09:56 - Demonstrating Gospel Truth Through Videos
11:24 - Negative and Positive Examples of Sharing Truth
12:24 - Humble Approach in Evangelism
18:01 - Effective Gospel Communication
18:55 - Closing Thoughts on Truthful Speech
20:01 - Ephesians 4: Building Others Up Through Our Words
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 10:8-10 (CSB)
- "A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed. The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. A sly wink of the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will be destroyed."
2. Ephesians 4:29 (CSB)
- "No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear."
3. Ezekiel 3:16-19 (CSB)
- "At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me. If I say to the wicked person, "You will surely die," but you do not warn him—you don’t speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life—that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood. But if you warn a wicked person and he does not turn from his wickedness or his wicked way, he will die for his iniquity, but you will have rescued yourself.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 10:8-10, what are the characteristics of a wise person versus a foolish person?
2. What does Ephesians 4:29 instruct us about the type of language we should use?
3. In Ezekiel 3:16-19, what is the role of the watchman, and what are the consequences of failing to fulfill this role?
4. How did the sermon illustrate the difference between speaking truth without love and speaking truth with grace? ([11:24])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for our words to build others up according to Ephesians 4:29? How does this align with the message of Proverbs 10? ([20:01])
2. How can the role of the watchman in Ezekiel 3:16-19 be applied to our responsibility as Christians to share the gospel? ([06:56])
3. What are the potential dangers of unwholesome talk as discussed in the sermon, and how can it affect our Christian witness? ([28:14])
4. How does the example of the two video clips in the sermon help us understand the importance of speaking truth with humility and grace? ([12:24])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent conversation where your words either built someone up or tore them down. How can you be more intentional about using your words to edify others? ([20:01])
2. Think about a situation where you need to speak the truth. How can you ensure that your approach is filled with love and grace, rather than harshness? ([18:55])
3. Are there areas in your life where you struggle with unwholesome talk, such as gossip or slander? What steps can you take to purge such talk from your life? ([28:14])
4. How can you balance the need to speak the gospel boldly with the need to do so in a way that is respectful and humble? ([12:24])
5. Identify a person in your life who may need to hear the gospel. How can you approach them in a way that reflects the love and grace of Christ? ([06:56])
6. Reflect on a time when remaining silent was more powerful than speaking. How can you develop the discernment to know when to speak and when to remain silent? ([25:53])
7. As a leader or influencer in your community, how can you use your speech to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit and glorify God? ([24:43])
Devotional
Day 1: Harnessing the Constructive Power of Words
Words are not merely sounds caused by air passing through our larynx. They have real power. Proverbs and Ephesians both emphasize the importance of using our words to build up rather than tear down. This is not just about avoiding negative speech, but actively using our words to encourage, edify, and impart grace to those who hear us. This requires a heart transformed by God's grace, continually seeking to align our words with His love. As followers of Christ, our speech should be a fountain of life, bringing encouragement and wisdom to those who hear us. [20:47]
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on your conversations from the past week. Were there moments where your words could have been more uplifting? How can you make a conscious effort to use your words to build up others this week?
Day 2: Balancing Truth with Love in Communication
Speaking truth is a responsibility that comes with being a follower of Christ, but the manner in which we speak it can significantly affect how it is received. We must strive to avoid harshness and instead embody gentleness and respect in our interactions. This approach not only opens the door to effective communication but also reflects our own receipt of God's grace. It fosters a more receptive environment for the gospel, allowing us to engage in conversations that are both truthful and loving. [18:55]
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 ESV
Reflection: Think of a recent discussion where you had to speak a hard truth. Did you manage to balance truth with love? How could you improve on this balance in future conversations?
Day 3: The Wisdom of Knowing When to Speak
There are times when choosing to remain silent can be more powerful than any words you might speak. Wisdom involves knowing when to speak and when to hold back, allowing space for others to reflect and understand. This discernment is crucial as we grow in our faith and learn the value of tempering our urge to speak with the discernment to know when our words will truly be beneficial. [25:53]
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." - Proverbs 10:19 ESV
Reflection: Can you recall a recent situation where silence might have been more beneficial than speaking? How can you practice being more discerning with your choice to speak or remain silent?
Day 4: Eliminating Unwholesome Talk from Our Lives
Unwholesome talk includes any form of communication that tears down others. This can range from gossip and slander to subtle manipulations with our words. As believers, we are called to reflect the purity and love of Jesus in every word we utter. This commitment to wholesome speech is a powerful testimony of the transformative impact of the gospel in our lives. [28:14]
"Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Reflection: Identify a form of unwholesome talk you occasionally engage in. What steps can you take to eliminate this from your conversations?
Day 5: Leading and Influencing Through Godly Speech
Every believer has the capacity to lead and influence others, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities. Our words and actions are a reflection of our faith, and by speaking with integrity and godly wisdom, we not only strengthen our relationships but also glorify God. This leadership through speech is a call to align our words with His will, demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in every interaction. [24:43]
"The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice." - Psalm 37:30 ESV
Reflection: Consider your role as an influencer in your circles. How can you use your speech to more effectively lead others towards Christ?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed. The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. A sly wink of the eye causes grief and foolish lips will be destroyed." [03:08]
2. "Speaking kindly, but shedding the negativity, demonstrates our bond with God, but also it brings light in a dark or harsh world. In our pursuit of living a life that's obedient, that's a witness to what God has done in our life and transformed us to make us new, when we speak kindly, when we shed the negativity, that demonstrates our bond with God." [23:38]
3. "Whether you want to admit this or not, we are all leaders in some way. You have influence on people in your life. It could be your family, could be children, could be people you work with. You are influencing people. It's just a matter of whether you are a godly good leader or a carnal, worldly sinful leader." [24:43]
### Quotes for Members
1. "They speak forth wisdom and save others from ruin. So if you know, your friend, your coworker, your family is on the road to ruin, if you are a Christian who is obedient and doing what God wants you to do, you're going to warn them, you're going to share wisdom with them." [25:53]
2. "Unwholesome talk is more than how many four-letter words are in your vocabulary. It's about our heart attitudes. And too often we use nice words to say cruel things. Let's not be that fool who doesn't speak truth. Let's speak the truth in love out of a heart of humbleness and kindness, because God has shown us kindness and mercy that we didn't deserve either." [28:14]
3. "It's not our job to condemn anybody. It is our job to share the truth though, but there's a way to do it and we should not do it with foul language, or any of the other things mentioned with bitterness, anger, wrath. A gentle answer turns away anger, but harsh words stir up wrath." [20:47]
4. "We need to reflect on how we actually conduct ourselves. And if you need help in that, there's help available. God gives us the power to overcome that. The Holy Spirit is not limited by the situation you were born in or the personality you think you have. God gives us power to be more like what He wants us to be." [23:38]
5. "We can't just live our lives and expect people to ask us why we live that way. Some people live by that code. I'm just going to mind my business, live this way. And if somebody asks me, then I'll tell them. But we need to proactively go out and share the gospel." [06:56]
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