5 Ways To Speak Without Regret Series

I want to speak to you about 5 Ways to Speak without Regret. Let’s talk about the power of your words for the next few minutes.

We continue a series entitled Give Me THAT Attitude. Often, we tell our children, “Don’t you give me that attitude.” This is the exact opposite. These are attitudes we want. The series highlights four attitudes that every home should have in abundance. Your home needs to know the life-giving power of encouraging, truthful words.

Find Proverbs 18 with me. The book of Proverbs has more to say about our words than anything else it addresses in our lives—more than money, sex, or family. You can think of Proverbs as Biblical Street Smarts ?.1 The book of Proverbs has around 90 proverbs about our words.

A quick search of the Book of Proverbs shows that words such as “tongue, ““mouth,” “lips,” and “words” are mentioned about 150 times.

I’ll be sharing many different Proverbs with you this morning.

Homework Assignment

Pick your top two favorite Proverbs to take away from this and write them down. Share your top 2 favorite Proverbs with someone this week.

By a show of hands, how many of you have said something you regret over your lifetime? How many of you wish you could take back something you’ve said to others? Me too! 100% me too!

Here are 5 Habits to Speak without Regret.

1. Appreciate the Power of Words

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Proverbs 18:21).

1.1 Our Words Matter

Think about the power of your coach’s words, your boss’ words, or your teacher’s words. The Bible says your words have power, like death or life, over your team, your workplace, and your classroom. Consider the power of a father’s words or a mother’s words. The Bible says your words have a power like death or life to your family. Your words have emotional power.

You can encourage or discourage with your tongue. Your words matter, whether it’s an email, a text message, or a phone call. Your words matter, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat. Words are more than just a means of communication. Words are tools for shaping someone’s thoughts and emotions.

Let me show you.

1.2 Peace Be Upon You

When Jesus first met with the disciples after the resurrection, the Bible says that He entered a locked room full of fear to say, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). The Bible tells us that the setting was the evening of the first Easter. Jesus had died only days before, three days before, and the shock of Jesus’ resurrection was still fresh for the Disciples. Jesus shows them His hands and His side, the fresh scars of the crucifixion. Jesus says again, “Peace be with you” (John 20:21b). Eight days later, “Doubting” Thomas is with the Disciples when Jesus appears again in a locked room. For the third time, Jesus says, “Peace be with you” (John 20:26c). If your friends had deserted you at the very moment you were dying, would the first words you would offer them be, “Peace be with you”? Wouldn’t you be tempted to say something to the effect, “You scum-sucking bunch of fools! You’re not my friends. You turned your back on me faster than Benedict Arnold.” Jesus diffuses the whole situation. Jesus sets the tone.2 Earlier, Jesus had told the Disciples, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).

Jesus knew the power of words. The Bible says life is in the power of the tongue.

1.3 Words Can Damage

“…the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire” (James 3:5)!

A teacher walks by a student, saying for all to hear, “Do we forget to take our medicine today?” humiliating the young boy in front of everyone. Reckless, rash words can be like razor blades flying out of mouths.3 A deadly tongue can kill your church, your family, and your classroom. Your words can leave emotional scars and wounds that last for years. We may not be able to remember what we ate for dinner yesterday, but we can remember what our parents said to us decades ago.

I wish I were a better example, but I have fallen short.

1.3.1 Wedding Ring

Did you hear about the man sitting next to another man? The man noticed that his friend was wearing his wedding ring on his right hand (not the left) and the wedding ring was on the index finger (not the ring finger). The man said, “That’s strange. Is that your wedding ring?” He said, “Yes, it is.” He said, “Why are you wearing it on the wrong finger?” He said, “I married the wrong woman.” Now, that may be funny to hear, but it’s also extremely hurtful.