The Power of Words: Reflecting Christ's Love
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound impact of our words and the weight they carry in our relationships. We often hear the saying, "Actions speak louder than words," but the truth is, words can reveal the true state of our hearts more than our actions. We can control our actions to a certain extent, but our words often slip out, revealing our innermost thoughts and feelings. This is why it's crucial to be mindful of the words we use, as they can leave lasting impressions, much like a dent in a car. Our lives are shaped by the words spoken to us, about us, and around us, as well as the words withheld from us.
For followers of Jesus, the weight of our words should be of utmost importance. Jesus taught us to be others-oriented, emphasizing the significance of how our words affect those around us. The Apostle Paul echoed this by instructing us to let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only what is beneficial for building others up. Our words should reflect the love and teachings of Jesus, aligning with the one another commands such as love, encourage, and forgive one another.
We also discussed the concept that the source of words determines their weight. People often filter what they hear based on their perception of the speaker. This means that our past experiences, expectations, and the roles we play in others' lives influence how our words are received. As Christians, we represent Jesus, and our words carry the weight of that representation. Therefore, we must choose our words carefully, ensuring they reflect the love and grace of Christ.
Furthermore, the intimacy and importance of a relationship amplify the weight of our words. A father's words, for instance, carry more weight than a mother's, impacting children profoundly. Similarly, the words of a spouse or a close friend hold significant power. We must be aware of this dynamic and strive to use our words to build up and encourage those we care about.
Ultimately, our words should be rooted in love, as love is the lens through which we best represent Jesus. By speaking the truth in love, we grow in maturity and reflect the character of Christ. Our words should be patient, kind, and selfless, always seeking to protect, trust, hope, and persevere. Let us leverage the weight of our words to convey love and hope, working on who we are to others and who we represent before we engage in conversation.
Key Takeaways:
- Words reveal the true state of our hearts more than actions. While we can control our actions, our words often slip out, revealing our innermost thoughts and feelings. This is why it's crucial to be mindful of the words we use, as they can leave lasting impressions. [02:21]
- For followers of Jesus, the weight of our words should be of utmost importance. Jesus taught us to be others-oriented, emphasizing the significance of how our words affect those around us. Our words should reflect the love and teachings of Jesus, aligning with the one another commands. [06:20]
- The source of words determines their weight. People often filter what they hear based on their perception of the speaker. Our past experiences, expectations, and the roles we play in others' lives influence how our words are received. As Christians, we represent Jesus, and our words carry the weight of that representation. [12:23]
- The intimacy and importance of a relationship amplify the weight of our words. A father's words, for instance, carry more weight than a mother's, impacting children profoundly. Similarly, the words of a spouse or a close friend hold significant power. We must be aware of this dynamic and strive to use our words to build up and encourage those we care about. [21:38]
- Our words should be rooted in love, as love is the lens through which we best represent Jesus. By speaking the truth in love, we grow in maturity and reflect the character of Christ. Our words should be patient, kind, and selfless, always seeking to protect, trust, hope, and persevere. [39:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:21] - Actions vs. Words
[04:03] - The Impact of Words
[06:20] - Aligning Actions and Words
[09:26] - The Heart's Role in Speech
[12:23] - Source Determines Weight
[15:24] - Filters and Perceptions
[17:46] - Relationship Dynamics
[21:38] - The Weight of a Father's Words
[24:18] - Intimacy and Word Weight
[27:13] - Personal Reflections
[29:24] - Jesus Redefines Relationships
[31:25] - Intimacy with Jesus
[33:42] - Representing Jesus
[37:56] - Winning Hearts, Not Arguments
[39:40] - Speaking Truth in Love
[43:16] - Love as a Communication Lens
[48:46] - Leveraging Our Words
[50:54] - Working on Relationships
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
2. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
3. James 3:9-10 (NIV) - "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how do our words reveal the true state of our hearts more than our actions? [02:21]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the weight of a father's words compared to a mother's? [21:38]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the source of words and their weight? [12:23]
4. What role does love play in how we should use our words, according to the sermon? [39:40]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Ephesians 4:29 guide Christians in using their words to build others up, and why is this important for representing Jesus? [09:26]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our past experiences and expectations influence how we perceive the words of others? [15:24]
3. How does the sermon explain the impact of intimacy and importance of relationships on the weight of our words? [24:18]
4. What does the sermon imply about the responsibility Christians have in choosing their words carefully, given who they represent? [33:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent conversation where your words may have unintentionally hurt someone. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future? [04:03]
2. Consider the relationships in your life where your words carry significant weight. How can you ensure that your words are building up rather than tearing down? [21:38]
3. Think about a time when you felt misunderstood because of the source of your words. How can you improve the clarity and intention behind your communication? [12:23]
4. Identify a person in your life who needs encouragement. What specific words can you use to uplift them this week? [39:40]
5. How can you align your words with the teachings of Jesus, especially in challenging situations where it’s easy to react negatively? [06:20]
6. Reflect on the role of love in your communication. How can you ensure that your words are patient, kind, and selfless, as described in 1 Corinthians 13? [41:06]
7. What steps can you take to better represent Jesus in your daily conversations, especially with those who may not share your faith? [33:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Words Reflect the Heart's True State
Our words often reveal the true state of our hearts more than our actions. While we can control our actions to some extent, our words tend to slip out, exposing our innermost thoughts and feelings. This is why it's crucial to be mindful of the words we use, as they can leave lasting impressions, much like a dent in a car. Our lives are shaped by the words spoken to us, about us, and around us, as well as the words withheld from us. Being aware of this can help us choose our words more carefully, ensuring they align with our values and intentions. [02:21]
"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil." (Matthew 12:34b-35, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have revealed more than you intended. How can you use this awareness to speak more intentionally in the future?
Day 2: The Weight of Words for Followers of Jesus
For followers of Jesus, the weight of our words should be of utmost importance. Jesus taught us to be others-oriented, emphasizing the significance of how our words affect those around us. Our words should reflect the love and teachings of Jesus, aligning with the one another commands such as love, encourage, and forgive one another. This means being intentional about the words we choose, ensuring they build others up and reflect the character of Christ. [06:20]
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a situation where your words could have been more gracious. How can you prepare yourself to respond with grace and love in future interactions?
Day 3: The Source Determines the Weight of Words
The source of words determines their weight. People often filter what they hear based on their perception of the speaker. Our past experiences, expectations, and the roles we play in others' lives influence how our words are received. As Christians, we represent Jesus, and our words carry the weight of that representation. Therefore, we must choose our words carefully, ensuring they reflect the love and grace of Christ. [12:23]
"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." (Proverbs 13:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your words were misunderstood due to your role or past experiences. How can you ensure your words are received as intended in the future?
Day 4: The Amplified Weight of Words in Intimate Relationships
The intimacy and importance of a relationship amplify the weight of our words. A father's words, for instance, carry more weight than a mother's, impacting children profoundly. Similarly, the words of a spouse or a close friend hold significant power. We must be aware of this dynamic and strive to use our words to build up and encourage those we care about. [21:38]
"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." (Proverbs 16:24, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a close relationship where your words have significant impact. How can you intentionally use your words to encourage and uplift this person today?
Day 5: Speaking Truth in Love
Our words should be rooted in love, as love is the lens through which we best represent Jesus. By speaking the truth in love, we grow in maturity and reflect the character of Christ. Our words should be patient, kind, and selfless, always seeking to protect, trust, hope, and persevere. Let us leverage the weight of our words to convey love and hope, working on who we are to others and who we represent before we engage in conversation. [39:40]
"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 truth you need to communicate to someone. How can you ensure that your words are delivered with love and compassion?
Quotes
"Actions speak louder than words, right? You've heard that. In fact, you've said that. You might have said that to a stranger or you say that to somebody who might have let you down. You might have said that to somebody who makes some kind of promise that you're hoping they will keep. But actions speak louder than words. So that's mostly true, maybe, sometimes true, not always true." [00:01:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And it's not always true because we are better at controlling our actions than our words, right? We're all a lot better. I mean, as you grow up, that's part of maturity and becoming an adult, right? We have some level of self-control that we can control our actions better than we can control our words. That's why you hear the phrase a slip of the tongue and not a slip of the fist. Right? There's nobody who just accidentally slipped and stuck their fist in someone's face." [00:01:37] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Our lives are shaped by words. And our lives are also shaped by words withheld from us. Some of us, your life has gone, the direction is gone because you did not hear the important words from an important person that you needed. Like I'm proud of you, and I love you, and you matter, and you're smart, and you're beautiful. And so you go in pursuit of those things." [00:04:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Now, if you're a non-Christian, okay, or if you have a family member that's a non-Christian, you have friends that are non-Christians. Non-Christians, don't you think that you might be more curious or open to Christianity if more Christians would actually follow Paul's advice, more closely? Think through that." [00:08:47] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Well, today I want to talk about the second one. The second one is this, source determines weight. Source determines weight. Now, most of us in here, maybe all of us in here, predetermine, in other words, you do it beforehand, you predetermine the validity of information based on its source." [00:11:54] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"You see, here's the point I'm trying to make. Their view of you is a filter that your words pass through. Their view of you, how they view you, is a filter through which your words pass through. Now, you just need to be aware of that because here's the thing. We have some control over that, but how they view you is not entirely, entirely up to you." [00:15:24] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because money changes things, doesn't it? Some of you have gone through this, right? Now, let me just say something here to dads. Dads. It's not fair. Moms, it's not fair. Dads, not fair. But it's true. A father's words matter more. I'm not saying that's right. I'm not saying that's fair. I'm just saying it's true." [00:21:38] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because I see something in you and I can trust you. And I know all about you as a friend. I mean, the weight of those words, change in the realization of the relationship. You see, the weight of those words depends on your intimacy or your desire for intimacy with Jesus and the importance of Jesus in your life." [00:31:25] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul goes on and he says, writes this very famous passage. If you've ever been to a wedding, you've heard it, right? But he says this in 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, right? If I speak in the tongues of men or angels. Now let me pause right there because as a Pentecostal and charismatic and those of you who believe in the gifts of speaking in tongues, which I do, and God still does that and the Holy Spirit does that, that's where your mind probably immediately goes. That's where mine did, but that's not what he's saying." [00:39:42] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Leverage who we are to them. Like, you mean something to them. And if you have any authority in their life, if you have any intimacy with them, if you are positionally over them at work or in some other, you know, relational context, in any relationship where you have an advantage, positionally, with intimacy, with authority, then you have an opportunity to leverage that because your words have more weight, dad." [00:48:46] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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