Sermon Notes:
The tongue can bring death or life…
—Proverbs 18:21
Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.—Proverbs 12:18
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.—Proverbs 15:4
WORDS IN CONVERSATIONS
1: With Yourself
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.—Proverbs 23:7
- You’re in a spiritual battle, so don’t bad-mouth yourself.
Ephesians 6:10; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - Control/talk to your soul.
Psalms 62:5,6; 103:1-3; 116:7
“The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”—John 10:10
The main art of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself. Remind yourself of who God is, what He’s done, and pledged to do. Instead of listening to the devil and allowing him to drag you down and depress you, remind him of what you know.—D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.—Romans 12:2
2: With Others
Proverbs 10:11,21,32
Say only what is helpful for building others up, that it may benefit those who listen.—Ephesians 4:29
3: After You Pray
This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of Him.—1 John 5:14,15
GOD’S WILL + FAITH + SPOKEN WORDS = ANSWERED PRAYER
2 Peter 3:9; Ephesians 5:17
Read the story of Jesus cursing the fig tree in Mark 11:12-14; 20-21.
“Have faith in God. …if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.”—Mark 11:22,23
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”—Matthew 17:20
Doubt will die, if you don’t give life to it with your words.
When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.—James 1:6-8
Discussion Questions
- Read Proverbs 18:21. Talk about a time when you experienced “life” (someone building you up) or “death” (someone tearing you down).
- In what ways have you seen words create and destroy?
- What situations tend to bring out the worst in your words? How can you use your words in a positive way instead?
- How do you think people would describe what it’s like to be around you?
- Explain the connection between faith, your words, and answered prayer.