What Did You Say

What Did You Say

January 10, 2010

Introduction

“What Did You Say?” How many ways can I say that? How many different situations come to your mind?

“What Did You Say?” How many ways can I say that?

· You just learned from a friend that her mother has a terminal illness -- “What Did You Say?”

· You’re wife was really upset with you because you were an hour late getting home and you hadn’t called to tell her -- “What Did You Say?”

· Your boss just gave you a 10% raise -- “What Did You Say?”

· The guy in the car in front of you is just sitting and the light has turned green -- “What Did You Say?”

· Your husband just came home from work -- “What Did You Say?”

From the list we just ran through, I hope it’s clear that the tongue has a lot of uses. Some of these are good and some are bad. Some of our statements require relatively little skill, while others require much more thought.

Body

I. James warns of the potential power of the tongue for good or evil.

(James 3:8-13 NKJV) But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. {9} With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. {10} Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. {11} Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? {12} Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. {13} Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

A. We must give an account of our opportunities and the way says things.

(Col 4:3-6 NKJV) meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, {4} that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. {5} Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. {6} Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

1. We need to use our tongues to speak up for God.

2. Our speech is to be with grace -- gracious

3. It is to be seasoned with salt. – make is tasty.

4. This applies to many different groups of people.

a. Our companion

b. Our children

c. Those with whom we work.

B. The tongue can be a great power for good.

(Prov 25:11 NKJV) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

1. Words have the power to express our love and kindness.

2. Words have the power to lift up and encourage.

3. Words have the power to make us feel we are of value and worth.

II. The tongue has the potential for being very damaging.

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

A. A friend of our son Andy never returned to visit our services after someone laughed and joked about the Pope.

1. Until then he had attended church on a rather regular basis with Andy.

2. The last we heard of him his mother had pretty much given up on him and he was into drugs and possibly dealing in drugs and living a pretty bad life.

B. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.

1. Fire destroys, and it often takes years for things to grow back.

2. Homes and other valuables can be lost and never regained.

3. Perhaps the most damaging things destroyed are relationships.

4. Often times the one hurling the words never realizes the tremendous hurt that has been done.

5. Early in our marriage, I said things to Carolyn that were very hurtful, and never knew until years later how much my words had hurt her.

a. Wives are to be treated as the weaker vessel.

(1 Pet 3:7 NASB) You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

b. Women are different from men in many different ways, and until we understand that, we can be very hurtful.

c. Maybe we need to ask our wives how we are doing.

d. Have we said hurtful things that we have not made right.

6. “Oh be careful little tongue what you say.”

C. The Bible says the power of life and death are in the tongue.

(Prov 18:21 NKJV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

(Prov 18:21 NCV) What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.

III. Our tongues can be great tools to be used to the glory of God.

A. The tongue can be a great teaching tool.

B. Jesus said that His words were spirit and life.

John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

1. We need to use every opportunity we have to teach others the words of Christ: They are spirit, and they are life.

C. Our tongues can be used to express good words.

1. There are words of praise and encouragement.

(Rom 1:8-9 NKJV) First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. {9} For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

a. We need to speak words of encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who are working hardest in the kingdom.

b. We need to speak words of love and encouragement to members of our family. Our children and our spouse.

2. There are words of comfort and consolation.

(1 Th 4:16-18 NKJV) For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. {17} Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. {18} Therefore comfort one another with these words.

3. There are words of praise and worship for God.

(Heb 13:15 NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Conclusion

I. What did you say? Was it a good word?

(Prov 25:11 NKJV) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

A. Was it a word of encouragement?

B. Was it a word of praise?

C. Was it a word of thanksgiving.

II. Jesus was very much concerned about what we say.

Matthew 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.36 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.37 “For by your words you will be (10) justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

III. Is your life right with God?

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