Title of message: Words of Power
(James 3:2) “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
Words have the power to:
1. Direct my life
(James 3:3) “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.”
(James 3:4) “Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.”
(James 3:5) “…Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
(James 3:6) “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
(James 3:7-8) “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
2. Destroy people
(James 3:9-12) “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. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
3. Display my heart
(Luke 6:45) “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
What do I have stored up in my heart?
(Proverbs 4:23) “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
(Proverbs 4:24) “Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
How to exercise wisdom with words?
(James 3:13) “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
(James 3:17-18) “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
1. Listen before you speak
(James 1:19) “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”
2. Read the Word of Truth
(Psalm 119:105) “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
3. Ask for a heart change
(Ezekiel: 36:26) “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
