Transforming Lives Through the Power of Words
Summary
In today's message, we embarked on a journey to explore the profound impact of the words we speak. This series, inspired by a message I heard over a year ago, has been deeply convicting for me personally, and I believe it will be challenging and useful for you as well. As a professional communicator, I often find myself laboring over words in my work, yet I struggle to apply the same diligence at home with those who matter most. This series is a call to accountability, especially in the wake of recent elections, which have been a war of words, leaving many relationships strained.
Words are powerful; they shape our identity, influence our relationships, and can even alter the course of our lives. The saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is a lie. Words have the power to hurt deeply, and sometimes the most painful words are those left unsaid. We must recognize the weight our words carry and strive to use them to build others up rather than tear them down.
As Christians, we are called to a higher standard. James, the half-brother of Jesus, reminds us that if we consider ourselves spiritual but cannot control our tongues, our faith is worthless. Our words should reflect the love and grace of God, building others up according to their needs. This requires us to be students of those around us, understanding their needs before we speak.
Paul's letter to the Ephesians challenges us to avoid unwholesome talk and instead speak words that benefit the hearer. This is not about being nice but about being constructive. We must check our hearts before choosing our words, ensuring they are not coming from a place of bitterness or anger. Instead, we should speak with kindness and compassion, forgiving others as God forgave us.
Ultimately, we are called to talk to others as God talks to us. This means speaking with love, grace, and a desire for the best for others. Before speaking, we should talk to God, seeking His guidance on what to say and how to say it. Let us strive to make the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts acceptable in His sight.
Key Takeaways:
- Words have the power to shape our identity and influence our relationships. We must recognize the weight our words carry and strive to use them to build others up rather than tear them down. [08:12]
- As Christians, we are called to a higher standard. If we consider ourselves spiritual but cannot control our tongues, our faith is worthless. Our words should reflect the love and grace of God. [13:34]
- We must be students of those around us, understanding their needs before we speak. This requires us to be attentive, ask questions, and avoid making assumptions. [28:32]
- Avoid unwholesome talk and instead speak words that benefit the hearer. This is not about being nice but about being constructive, ensuring our words come from a place of kindness and compassion. [27:27]
- Talk to others as God talks to us, with love, grace, and a desire for the best for others. Before speaking, seek God's guidance on what to say and how to say it. [43:56]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:33] - Introduction to the Series
[04:17] - The Power of Words
[06:28] - Christian Responsibility
[08:12] - Words Shape Identity
[10:06] - Blindness and Words
[11:43] - James on Speech
[13:34] - Spiritual Accountability
[15:08] - Dynamics of Words
[17:57] - Weight of Words
[19:05] - Negative vs. Positive Words
[21:03] - The Weight of Words
[22:19] - Paul's Teachings
[24:04] - Unwholesome Talk
[25:53] - Building Up vs. Tearing Down
[27:27] - Constructive Conversations
[28:32] - Understanding Needs
[30:12] - Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
[31:32] - More Aware of Needs
[32:59] - Reality Show Relationships
[34:21] - Benefiting the Hearer
[35:02] - Election Words
[36:04] - Hard Words and Best Interest
[37:02] - Speaking Out of Turn
[38:10] - Holy Spirit's Role
[40:04] - Grieving the Holy Spirit
[41:07] - Self-Control and the Spirit
[42:25] - Emotions and Words
[43:56] - Talk Like God Talks
[44:25] - God's Voice in Our Lives
[45:03] - Jesus' Example
[46:14] - God's Best for Us
[47:14] - Talking to God First
[47:54] - Psalm 19 Prayer
[49:18] - Questions and Steps
[50:07] - Acknowledge and Apologize
[51:02] - Impact of Words
[51:54] - Prayer for Guidance
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. James 1:26 - "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless."
2. Ephesians 4:29 - "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."
3. Psalm 19:14 - "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how do words shape our identity and influence our relationships? ([08:12])
2. What does James say about the importance of controlling our tongues, and how does it relate to our faith? ([13:34])
3. How does Paul describe unwholesome talk in his letter to the Ephesians, and what is its intended purpose? ([24:04])
4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in guiding our speech according to the sermon? ([40:04])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does the speaker believe that words have such a profound impact on our lives and relationships? ([08:12])
2. How does the sermon suggest we can become better students of those around us to understand their needs before speaking? ([28:32])
3. In what ways does the sermon challenge Christians to reflect God's love and grace through their words? ([13:34])
4. How does the sermon interpret the role of the Holy Spirit in helping us control our speech and emotions? ([40:04])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when words deeply impacted you, either positively or negatively. How can this experience guide you in choosing your words more carefully? ([08:12])
2. Consider your current conversations at home or work. Are there areas where you struggle to control your tongue? What steps can you take to improve? ([13:34])
3. How can you become a better student of the people around you to understand their needs before speaking? What practical steps can you take this week? ([28:32])
4. Think of a recent conversation where you may have used unwholesome talk. How could you have approached it differently to build the other person up? ([24:04])
5. Before speaking, how can you incorporate prayer and seek God's guidance to ensure your words reflect His love and grace? ([43:56])
6. Identify a relationship in your life that could benefit from more constructive conversations. What specific actions can you take to foster this change? ([27:27])
7. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you practice self-control in your speech, especially in challenging situations? ([41:07])
Devotional
Day 1: The Weight of Words
Words have the power to shape our identity and influence our relationships. They are not merely sounds or symbols; they carry weight and can significantly impact those around us. The saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is misleading. Words can hurt deeply, and sometimes the most painful words are those left unsaid. Recognizing the power of our words is crucial. We must strive to use them to build others up rather than tear them down. This requires intentionality and mindfulness in our daily interactions. [08:12]
"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: Think of a recent conversation where your words may have hurt someone. How can you seek reconciliation and use your words to build them up today?
Day 2: Spiritual Accountability in Speech
As Christians, we are called to a higher standard when it comes to our speech. James, the half-brother of Jesus, emphasizes that if we consider ourselves spiritual but cannot control our tongues, our faith is worthless. Our words should reflect the love and grace of God, building others up according to their needs. This requires us to be students of those around us, understanding their needs before we speak. It is not just about being nice but about being constructive and ensuring our words come from a place of kindness and compassion. [13:34]
"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless." (James 1:26, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your recent conversations. Are there areas where your words did not reflect God's love and grace? How can you change your approach to ensure your speech aligns with your faith?
Day 3: Understanding Before Speaking
To effectively communicate, we must be students of those around us, understanding their needs before we speak. This requires us to be attentive, ask questions, and avoid making assumptions. By doing so, we can ensure that our words are beneficial and constructive. It is not about being nice but about being genuinely helpful and supportive. This approach fosters deeper connections and strengthens relationships, as it shows that we value and respect the other person's perspective. [28:32]
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." (James 1:19, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship where you often assume rather than listen. How can you practice being more attentive and understanding in your interactions with this person today?
Day 4: Constructive Conversations
Avoiding unwholesome talk and instead speaking words that benefit the hearer is essential for constructive conversations. This is not about being nice but about being genuinely helpful and supportive. We must check our hearts before choosing our words, ensuring they are not coming from a place of bitterness or anger. Instead, we should speak with kindness and compassion, forgiving others as God forgave us. This approach fosters deeper connections and strengthens relationships, as it shows that we value and respect the other person's perspective. [27:27]
"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 conversation you need to have that may be difficult. How can you prepare your heart to ensure your words are constructive and come from a place of kindness and compassion?
Day 5: Speaking with Divine Guidance
We are called to talk to others as God talks to us, with love, grace, and a desire for the best for others. Before speaking, we should talk to God, seeking His guidance on what to say and how to say it. This practice helps us align our words with His will and ensures that our speech reflects His love and grace. By doing so, we can positively impact those around us and foster deeper, more meaningful relationships. [43:56]
"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things." (Proverbs 15:28, ESV)
Reflection: Before your next conversation, take a moment to pray and seek God's guidance. How can you ensure that your words reflect His love and grace in that interaction?
Quotes
"We know that's not true. We know that words that have been said to us, words that were said over us or around us, words that were said about us, even when we weren't in the room, have shaped us. And they've shaped our childhood and they shaped our performance in school or on an athletic field or some, you know, hobby or something or at work, right? It's shaped our work and our work ethic and how we perform at work. It has shaped our relationships and our marriages." [00:07:42] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And words that are left unsaid, it's almost like a ship without an anchor. Without a rudder. They're just drifting. Important words that are unsaid. Words are weighty, but those words, since they're void, it's like weightlessness. It's like drifting in space, drifting on the open ocean. And if you don't have those important words spoken into your life, you drift kind of indiscriminately all over the place and you will go towards, or you will go in search of those words and for someone to say them." [00:17:47] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Words have weight and not all words are weighted equally. And we all know this to be true. You don't have to write it down because you already know this. Negative words weigh way more than positive words. Not just a little bit. If there was a scale and it's like all these positive words, it only takes one little negative one and boom, it just tilts. Because negative words weigh way more than the positive words." [00:19:20] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul reminds us that as Christians, we don't have to do this on our own. Like when I'm preparing sermons, I am praying and saying, God, would you help me and help me get into their hearts and into their heads? And some of you said, man, we're riding with us in the car the other day. I'm literally praying, God, I want to speak to the conversations they have in their living room. And when they're driving around in their cars, I literally pray that, right?" [00:37:46] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Talk to others like God talks to you. Think about that. Talk to others the way that God talks to you. And God does not withdraw and hold back on the hard stuff, does he? But how does he give it to you? In a way that assures you he has your best interest in mind. Some of you say, well, I don't know if I've ever heard the voice of God. I bet you have. You just didn't know to recognize it." [00:44:01] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. You're my foundation. Right? Not everybody else. You're my foundation. And you're the one who proved that you are for me and only working for my benefit because you're my redeemer." [00:48:30] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"To talk to people the way you talk to us. Heavenly Father, you're trusting in us to be the carriers of your message. And that message gets so muddied up with the words that come out of our mouths unfiltered. And so God, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." [00:52:34] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Paul says, you're a follower of Jesus. You don't have to do this alone. He goes on and says, look, do not grieve the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit of God, grieved, meaning don't deny him, don't reject him, don't push him aside, don't ignore him, don't argue with him, don't do all of that kind of stuff. He says, don't grieve the Holy Spirit, because that's what that means, making the Holy Spirit grieve." [00:38:28] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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