The Power and Consequences of Our Words
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the power of our words, as illustrated in the story of Belshazzar from the Book of Daniel and the teachings of James. We began by praying for those who couldn't join us and for the healing and protection of our nation and Israel. We then delved into the story of Belshazzar, who arrogantly used sacred vessels for his feast, leading to a divine message of judgment. This story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and disrespect towards God.
We transitioned to the Book of James, focusing on the power of the tongue. James emphasizes that the tongue, though small, has immense power to direct and destroy. He uses vivid analogies like a horse's bit, a ship's rudder, and a small spark that can set a forest ablaze to illustrate the tongue's potential for both good and evil. The tongue can build up or tear down, and it is often the source of great sin and destruction.
James warns that no human can tame the tongue on their own; it is a restless evil full of deadly poison. This untamable nature of the tongue is likened to wild animals that resist control. The destructive power of the tongue is further emphasized by its ability to defile the whole body and set the course of one's life on fire, a fire fueled by hell itself.
We are reminded that our words reflect our hearts, and thus, we must saturate our hearts with God's Word to ensure our speech is edifying and glorifying to Him. As we prepare to take the Lord's Supper, we are called to examine ourselves, repent, and seek God's help in controlling our tongues. Let us remember that Jesus died for our sins, including the sins of our tongue, and strive to live a holy life, reflecting His grace and truth in our words.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of the Tongue: The tongue, though small, has the power to direct our lives and influence others. Like a horse's bit or a ship's rudder, it can lead us towards righteousness or destruction. We must be mindful of our words, as they can build up or tear down, reflecting the state of our hearts. [35:35]
2. The Destructive Nature of the Tongue: James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a forest ablaze, illustrating its potential for great destruction. Our words can cause immense harm, spreading like wildfire and leaving a trail of devastation. We must seek God's help to control our tongues and use them for good. [45:28]
3. The Untamable Tongue: No human can tame the tongue on their own; it is a restless evil full of deadly poison. This untamable nature is likened to wild animals that resist control. Only through God's grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can we hope to control our speech and use it to glorify Him. [57:29]
4. Words Reflect the Heart: Our words are a reflection of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with God's Word, our speech will be edifying and glorifying to Him. We must saturate our hearts with Scripture, allowing it to transform our speech and guide our interactions with others. [01:06:54]
5. Self-Examination and Repentance: As we prepare to take the Lord's Supper, we are called to examine ourselves, repent, and seek God's help in controlling our tongues. Jesus died for our sins, including the sins of our tongue. Let us strive to live a holy life, reflecting His grace and truth in our words. [01:14:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:15] - Opening Prayer
[20:30] - Belshazzar's Feast
[33:12] - The Power of the Tongue
[35:35] - The Tongue's Potential to Direct
[45:28] - The Tongue's Potential to Destroy
[57:29] - The Untamable Tongue
[01:06:54] - Words Reflect the Heart
[01:14:29] - Self-Examination and Repentance
[01:20:25] - The Lord's Supper
[01:21:27] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 5:1-31 - The story of Belshazzar's feast and the divine message of judgment.
2. James 3:1-12 - The power and destructive nature of the tongue.
### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Belshazzar take that led to the divine message of judgment? ([21:10])
2. According to James, what analogies are used to describe the power of the tongue? ([35:35])
3. How does James describe the untamable nature of the tongue? ([57:29])
4. What does James say about the relationship between our words and our hearts? ([01:06:54])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Belshazzar's use of the sacred vessels was considered such a grave sin? ([21:10])
2. How do the analogies of a horse's bit, a ship's rudder, and a small spark help us understand the power of the tongue? ([35:35])
3. What does James mean when he says the tongue is "set on fire by hell"? How does this impact our understanding of the seriousness of our words? ([58:39])
4. How can saturating our hearts with God's Word transform our speech according to the sermon? ([01:06:54])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time when your words caused harm. How could you have handled the situation differently to build up rather than tear down? ([45:28])
2. James warns that no human can tame the tongue on their own. What practical steps can you take to seek God's help in controlling your speech? ([57:29])
3. The sermon emphasized that our words reflect our hearts. What specific actions can you take this week to fill your heart with God's Word? ([01:06:54])
4. As we prepare to take the Lord's Supper, we are called to examine ourselves and repent. What specific sins of the tongue do you need to confess and seek forgiveness for? ([01:14:29])
5. Think of a person in your life who often brings out negative speech in you. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to respond with grace and kindness in your next interaction with them? ([01:06:54])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of self-examination and repentance. How can you make self-examination a regular part of your spiritual routine? ([01:14:29])
7. How can you use your words this week to glorify God and edify others in your community? Be specific about the actions you will take. ([01:06:54])
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of the Tongue
The tongue, though small, has the power to direct our lives and influence others. Like a horse's bit or a ship's rudder, it can lead us towards righteousness or destruction. We must be mindful of our words, as they can build up or tear down, reflecting the state of our hearts. [35:35]
James uses vivid analogies to illustrate the immense power of the tongue. Just as a small bit in a horse's mouth can control the entire animal, and a small rudder can steer a large ship, our tongues have the power to direct the course of our lives. This power can be used for good, guiding us and others towards righteousness, or for evil, leading to destruction. The words we speak can build up and encourage, or they can tear down and harm. Therefore, it is crucial to be mindful of our speech, recognizing that our words are a reflection of the state of our hearts.
Our speech is not just a series of random utterances; it is a window into our inner being. When our hearts are filled with God's Word and His love, our words will naturally reflect that, bringing life and encouragement to those around us. Conversely, if our hearts are filled with bitterness, anger, or pride, our words will reveal that as well, causing harm and division. Let us strive to fill our hearts with God's truth, so that our words may be a source of blessing and guidance.
James 3:3-4 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think about a recent conversation where your words had a significant impact. Were they uplifting or harmful? How can you be more mindful of your speech in the future?
Day 2: The Destructive Nature of the Tongue
James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a forest ablaze, illustrating its potential for great destruction. Our words can cause immense harm, spreading like wildfire and leaving a trail of devastation. We must seek God's help to control our tongues and use them for good. [45:28]
The tongue's potential for destruction is immense, as James vividly illustrates by comparing it to a small spark that can set an entire forest ablaze. Just as a tiny spark can lead to a massive wildfire, a few careless or harmful words can cause significant damage, spreading quickly and leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. This destructive power of the tongue is not to be underestimated, as it can lead to broken relationships, damaged reputations, and deep emotional wounds.
Given the tongue's potential for harm, it is essential to seek God's help in controlling our speech. On our own, we may struggle to tame our tongues and prevent them from causing damage. However, with God's guidance and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can learn to use our words for good, bringing healing and encouragement instead of harm. Let us be intentional in our speech, seeking to build up and edify others, and avoiding words that can cause destruction.
Proverbs 16:27 (ESV): "A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your words caused harm to someone. How can you seek God's help to prevent such situations in the future and use your words for good?
Day 3: The Untamable Tongue
No human can tame the tongue on their own; it is a restless evil full of deadly poison. This untamable nature is likened to wild animals that resist control. Only through God's grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can we hope to control our speech and use it to glorify Him. [57:29]
James emphasizes the untamable nature of the tongue, describing it as a restless evil full of deadly poison. This vivid imagery highlights the difficulty of controlling our speech on our own. Just as wild animals resist control and can be dangerous, our tongues can be equally unruly and harmful. Despite our best efforts, we may find ourselves struggling to keep our words in check, often saying things we later regret.
However, there is hope. While no human can tame the tongue on their own, God's grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can empower us to control our speech. By surrendering our tongues to God and seeking His guidance, we can learn to use our words in ways that glorify Him and bring life to others. Let us rely on God's strength and wisdom, recognizing that we cannot tame our tongues on our own, but with His help, we can speak words that reflect His love and truth.
Psalm 141:3 (ESV): "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to control your speech? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you in these areas?
Day 4: Words Reflect the Heart
Our words are a reflection of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with God's Word, our speech will be edifying and glorifying to Him. We must saturate our hearts with Scripture, allowing it to transform our speech and guide our interactions with others. [01:06:54]
The words we speak are a direct reflection of the state of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with God's Word and His love, our speech will naturally be edifying and glorifying to Him. Conversely, if our hearts are filled with negative emotions or sinful desires, our words will reveal that as well. Therefore, it is crucial to saturate our hearts with Scripture, allowing it to transform us from the inside out.
By immersing ourselves in God's Word, we can ensure that our hearts are aligned with His will, and our speech will reflect His truth and grace. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous process of growth and renewal. As we consistently fill our hearts with Scripture, we will find that our words become more loving, encouraging, and reflective of God's character. Let us commit to spending time in God's Word daily, allowing it to shape our hearts and guide our interactions with others.
Luke 6:45 (ESV): "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more Scripture into your daily routine to ensure your heart is filled with God's Word? What changes do you expect to see in your speech as a result?
Day 5: Self-Examination and Repentance
As we prepare to take the Lord's Supper, we are called to examine ourselves, repent, and seek God's help in controlling our tongues. Jesus died for our sins, including the sins of our tongue. Let us strive to live a holy life, reflecting His grace and truth in our words. [01:14:29]
The act of taking the Lord's Supper is a sacred time of reflection and self-examination. As we prepare to partake in this holy sacrament, we are called to examine our hearts and repent of any sins, including the sins of our tongue. Our words have the power to build up or tear down, and it is essential to seek God's forgiveness for any harmful or careless words we have spoken. Jesus died for our sins, including the sins of our tongue, and through His sacrifice, we can find forgiveness and healing.
This time of self-examination is not just about recognizing our shortcomings but also about seeking God's help to transform our speech. By acknowledging our need for His guidance and strength, we can strive to live a holy life that reflects His grace and truth in our words. Let us approach the Lord's Supper with a heart of repentance and a commitment to using our tongues to glorify God and edify others.
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (ESV): "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."
Reflection: As you prepare to take the Lord's Supper, take a moment to examine your heart and repent of any sins of the tongue. How can you seek God's help to ensure your words reflect His grace and truth in the future?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We pray, Lord, that we would quickly realize that our freedom is in Christ. And it's Him that we trust. Not a nation, not a leader in this nation, but we trust Christ. So, Lord Jesus, may you be exalted and praised and honored in all that we do this morning." [08:13] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The tongue can be used for good or it can be used for evil. The tongue has the power to build up or to tear down. And so we have to be careful how we use our words. We want to make sure, like Colossians 4, that our words are seasoned with grace. That our words are kind, they're gracious. Because our Heavenly Father is kind and gracious." [36:42] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The tongue affects everything. And if you don't believe me, pay attention to it. After you leave here today. Take note of some of the things that you engage in. So in chapter 3, he shows us why it is important to control the tongue. In verses 1 to 5, which is what we looked at last time, he told us that the tongue has the power to direct." [39:39] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity. The tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body and sets on fire the course of our life and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and birds of reptiles and creatures of the sea is tamed and has been tamed by the human race, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil and full of deadly poison." [35:35] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Your tongue, my tongue, can either be a tool for God or a tool for Satan. And we see in the Gospels, you know, Peter at one point, Matthew 16, all the disciples were asked a question, but who do you say that I am? And Peter speaks up quickly, boldly, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God." [01:02:44] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "James says in verse 2 that we all stumble in many things and we saw that that was really a synonym for sin, that we all sin in many things. And it really shows us the potential that every teacher has to influence his listeners to sin. So James addresses that head on. And he also gives another illustration, and that's the horse's bit and the ship's rudder." [42:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The tongue destroys. It's like fire in verse 6, and it's also a world of iniquity. Being like fire, Proverbs 16.27 speaks of it like fire when it says, An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. It just spreads like wildfire. Also, Proverbs 26.20 says, Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no tailbearer, strife ceases." [53:05] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The tongue defiles the whole body. There in verse 6. It stains. It pollutes. It contaminates. Jesus said it this way in Mark 7, 20. What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, and evil eye. Blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." [55:30] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The tongue is a wild beast that is untameable by man. He says in verse 8, But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil full of deadly poison. And he says no man, no, not even one, not the least, not the least of men, not the greatest of men can control this. No one. That is no human being in his own power can tame the tongue." [01:06:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I don't want any of us to think foolishly that because you have now been redeemed that you no longer have a problem with your tongue. I had a really filthy mouth. I don't now, praise the Lord. The only way I knew how to control that was with Scripture. Earlier I was talking about Scripture memory. That is so key. We would just understand that, right? And just apply ourselves to that discipline." [01:10:29] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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