Words Matter
- Tony Askew
- May 23, 2010
- Series: Family Matters
Series: Family Matters
Message: “Words Matter”
Date: May 23 2010
[VIDEO]
[SLIDE-1] SERIES TITLE “Family Matters”
OPENING PRAYER
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” All of us have heard that saying, we have probably all said the same to our children. But I am here this morning to tell you that’s not true, particularly as it applies to family life. [SLIDE-2]
I love you. You are important to me. I don’t know what I would do without you. Thank you. You really look nice. I like your new hair cut. Great Job! You’re the best. I am proud of you. Will you marry me. We’re having a baby.
I hate you. You disgust me. You make me sick. I wish you were dead. I wish had never been born. Nobody cares about you. I want a divorce. I never want to see you again.
Words….they are powerful. [SLIDE-3] Words shape and define our lives and the lives of those around us. Words evoke [SLIDE-4] emotion and have the power to encourage and lift the spirits, they can move people to tears of joy. Words can motivate and inspire people to do great things. But, harsh words, [SLIDE-5] cruel words, ugly words, they can be used as a weapon. Words can destroy, words can incite fear, and words can tear down and crush the spirit… Indeed words are powerful.
And like so many things in life, and especially those that have such power, God speaks to them in his Word. A portion of our scripture today is coming from the book of Proverbs, where wisdom for living is handed out in short, bite size statements such as.
[SLIDE-6] Proverbs 23:12 “Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.” And Proverbs 4:4 “My father taught me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.”
[SLIDE-7] I would like to do something a little different this morning… I want you to empty your mind of distraction; I want you to stop thinking about what is going on later today, tomorrow or the week to come. We are going to turn down the lights and I want you to close your eyes for the next few minutes, relax and soak in the Words of God.
Now listen, really listen to those scriptures again and the many more that follow.
Proverbs 23:12 “Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.”
Proverbs 4:4 “My father taught me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live.”
Now listen to what God has to say about the words of the Godly…..
Pro 10:11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
Pro 10:20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.
Pro 10:21 The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
Pro 10:32 The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.
Pro 15:28 The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Now listen to what God has to say about the words of the wise…..
Pro 22:17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
Pro 10:13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
Pro 12:14 Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.
Pro 12:18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Pro 13:2 Wise words will win you a good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.
Pro 17:27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
Pro 18:4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
Pro 18:20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
Pro 20:15 Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.
Now listen to what Gods Words has to say about Gentle and Kind words….
Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
Pro 15:4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Pro 16:24 Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
As those are sinking in…hear this last one.
Pro 12:19 Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
Now I want you to dream for just a minute how our families would be different, if everyone was to follow these eternal words of wisdom. How families torn apart by hurtful words that have planted seeds of anguish could be healed and reunited. How brothers and sisters, children and parents, long estranged could have their relationships restored and renewed. How harmony could be brought back into homes now filled with anger and discord.
As we bring the lights back up and you open your eyes, know that controlling ones tongue is not easy. In fact, it is possibly one of the hardest things we might ever attempt to do.
James Chapter 3 puts it this way… beginning in verse 2 and eventually going through the end of the chapter.
[SLIDE-8] James 3:2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
James 3:3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.
James 3:4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.
[SLIDE-9] James 3:5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
[SLIDE-10] James starts by pointing out we all make mistakes, we all stumble. Another words, we all sometimes say something we shouldn’t. Some of us more than others, myself included in the former. Our tempers flare and gets the best of us. If we are not careful, our mouths open, out comes a careless word said in anger and before we know the situation has escalated way beyond what we ever intended. James tells us it takes but a spark, a single word if you will, to set a great forest fire. Believe me a forest fire consumes not just one tree, it spread far beyond the immediate parties. Innocent people are hurt and homes are damaged. James says careless speech can set your whole life on fire.
Picking backup in verse 7… and reading to verse 12
[SLIDE-11] James 3:7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish,
James 3:8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.
[SLIDE-12] James 3:10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
James 3:11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?
James 3:12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring.
[SLIDE-13] James let’s us know that we might be able to tame all sorts of wild animals…but no one can tame the tongue. We might be able to keep it, train it for good and keep it under control, for a time. Just like a lion might be tamed and taught to perform at the circus. But make no mistake about it, our tongue is still true to its nature and in a weak or emotional moment, when our defenses are down it will be what it is “restless, evil and full of deadly poison” Another words, it will pounce, just like the Circus lion that attacks his caretaker. James in telling us “this is not right” is pointing out the contrast between what we should and hope to be, and what we are because we are fallen and sin is in each and every one of us.
So what are we to do? Lets wrap this up by again closing our eyes and listening to what God has to reveal to us in the closing verses of chapter three…
James 3:13 If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:17 …the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
James 3:18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Are we planting seeds of peace in our immediate and extended families? Are we peacemakers who will reap a harvest of righteousness? We can’t do it alone, it takes wisdom from above.
Let’s Pray
If you are here today and God has spoken to you about getting right with him, we invite you to come this morning and receive him into your life. Pastor and myself will be down here to help. Perhaps you need to make amends, apologize and restore your relationship with a friend or loved one..come down and let us pray with you for the strength and courage to follow through with your decision.
CLOSING BLESSING
[END of SERVICE SLIDE]