Sermon Central
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5 Ways To Speak Without Regret Series
Contributed by Scott Maze on Sep 14, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Words spread easily. Kudzu was introduced from Asia for soil erosion control. But the problem with Kudzu is it easily spreads and suffocates native plants and even trees. Knowing that your words can spread so easily, think before you speak.
3.1 Tree of Life
The Tree of Life is a metaphor to restore Paradise in a broken world. Gentle speech is healing speech. You should speak to restore and heal. Remember how Jesus spoke to the fearful Disciples on the first Easter when He said, “Peace be with you.” Again, Jesus set the tone. Your words impact morale: “A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” (Proverbs 18:14).
3.2 Child Hits and Swears at Cops
Maybe you saw the 30-second video clip where a young toddler hits and curses at cops. I’ll never forget this 2022 video. Minneapolis police officers showed up in St. Paul to execute a search warrant for a murder suspect. With at least one adult in the background, the toddlers met the cops on the sidewalk. To help you get the shocking picture, one of the toddlers is wearing nothing but his underwear. Toddlers met the cops — some still in diapers — who punched, kicked, cursed, and threw rocks at them.6 Some of the words this toddler I cannot say. The toddler told the officers to “Shut the F up” and “Shut up” and then calls the cop the derogatory term for a female dog. These toddlers are an embarrassment to their parents and their community.
Curse words are not gentle words. Dads, set the tone in your home with gentle words. Moms, set the tone in your home with gentle words. We can teach the next generation how to speak with respect to those in authority. No, no Bible command says don’t say these words. But, the Bible does say, “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 give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
If your mouth is filled with curse words, then you are not speaking gently. If you cannot go a day without cussing, consider what you are saying. A little league baseball coach recently used the “f word” when caustically speaking to elementary school-aged players. I doubt he meant to use the word, but oftentimes, cussing becomes such a habit that it spills out of our mouths.
3.3 What You Permit, You Promote
Parents, what you permit, you promote. If you permit your child to use words that are ugly, hurtful, sinful, or vulgar, you are promoting it.7
3.4 James Earl Jones
Just this week, the famous actor James Earl Jones passed away. Many of you know he was the voice of the famous villain Darth Vader. James Earl Jones had a golden voice. To have his baritone voice! He was so good that he was once chosen to recite (not sing) the National Anthem for the MLB All-Star Game. While most of us don’t have his voice, we can speak gently and not harshly.
3.5 Mind Your Tone
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
The Bible commands us to speak gently. Your words should be a fire extinguisher, not a fire starter. To speak gently means to be mindful of my tone, my word choice, and my delivery. Gentle speech is healing speech. Yes, I understand sometimes you must raise your voice. But, a home is constantly filled with shouting and yelling so much pain and hurt can result. Moms and dads, can you gently redirect? Dads, set the tone in your home with gentle words. Moms, set the tone in your home with gentle words.
