Matters of the Mouth
Proverbs 18:21 - Ephesians 4:29
Part I
A foundation . . .
- We all talk.
“We think words, hear words, speak words, sing words, write words, and read words — all the time. Every day. So the words you choose to use will shape your life and the lives of others more than almost any other single factor.”
Justin Taylor
- Communication is God’s idea.
- Sad and celebratory moments of life are accompanied by talk.
- Our words are never neutral.
“It is a frightening thought; but true: Every time we open our mouth we run the risk of sinning. Likewise, the longer we talk. The secret is having a heart controlled by Christ so that our speech does the same as His – build up His body.”
Dr. David Jeremiah
“Death and Life are in the power of the tongue.”
Proverbs 18:21
A mouth reclaimed by Christ can . . .
- Bring joy.
“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!”
Proverbs 15:23, 16:4, 24:24-26, 25:25
- Bring gladness.
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
Proverbs 12:25
- Bring hope and healing.
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24
- Defuse tension and anger.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1
- Persuade.
“The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.”
Proverbs 16:21, Proverbs 16:23
- Influence.
“Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.”
Proverbs 16:13
The mouth issue is a heart issue.
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Luke 6:43-45
The tongue is the mirror of the heart.
Change the heart and you change the speech.
“Tongue control? It will never be achieved unless there is first of all heart control. When any Christian comes to the point of yielding to the Lord, the problem of the tongue will be solved.”
Frank E. Gaebelien
From Ephesians 4:29 . . .
- We are to guard against using certain words.
RSV – “Let no evil talk”
KJV – “Let no corrupt communication”
Phillips – “Let there be no more foul language”
Rotten fish or rotten fruit . . .
- It does not nourish.
- It will make you sick.
- It smells bad and creates an unpleasant atmosphere for anyone who gets near it.
- It comes from a diseased tree.
Examples of unwholesome speech . . .
Vulgarity, obscenity, indecent language
Dirty jokes, off-color stories
Pornographic language
Racial or ethnic insults
Humor meant to insult or to put someone down
Angry outbursts, harsh words
Mean-spirited comments
Gossip, rumors, false accusations
Imputing bad motives
Public criticism of your spouse or children
Yelling and screaming
Threats and intimidating comments
Endless criticism
Quick, cutting comments
Cheap shots
Talking too much
Talking without listening
Condemning others
Exaggerating the faults of others
Excusing unkind words by saying, “I was only joking.”
Taking the Lords name in vain
Trivializing terrible realities
The Greek construction . . .
Every critical comment that comes out of your mouth … not!
Every filthy word that comes out of your mouth … not!
Every harsh word that comes out of your mouth … not!
Every cheap shot that comes out of your mouth … not
Every bit of gossip that comes out of your mouth … not!
- We are to be given over to words that build up.
“edification” means to “build up”
“No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need.” (HCS)
“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 givegrace to those who hear.” (ESV)
“Let there be no more foul language, but good words instead—words suitable for the occasion, which God can use to help other people.” (Phillips)
To edify you must identify.
Learn the person’s needs by listening.
Learn the person’s needs by asking questions.
Words that build include . . .
Encouragement and praise
Appreciation and gratefulness
Loving words
Kind words
Gentle words
Scriptural words
Words of loving correction when needed
“The Lord’s bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.”
2 Timothy 2:24-25
Prayerful words
“For God did not choose us to condemn us, but that we might secure his salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. He died for us, so that whether we are “awake” or “asleep” we share his life. So go on cheering and strengthening each other with thoughts like these, as I have no doubt you have been doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
What is grace?
Grace is undeservedfavor.
Grace meets a need.
Grace provides relief.
Grace overcomes sin.
Grace emancipates.
Grace overlooks.
Grace energizes.
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to relate to one another.”
Colossians 4:6
“Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.”
Job 4:4
Ephesians 4:29 . . . Every word … all good … all grace … all the time.
“My words tend to be full of ______, seasoned with ______?”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Proverbs 18:21
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”
Ephesians 4:29