Summary: This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus.

Sticks, Stones And Words – Part 2

(Rev. Rodney Johnson and Rev. Barry Johnson)

NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus. The Bible studies you find on this site contains the written version of the lesson. However, these lessons also include a video and an audio file of the study, a PDF version of the lesson and a sheet for note taking. If you would like any of the additional resources for these studies, please email us at newlightfaithministries@gmail.com or bjteachingltr@gmail.com for more information or contact us at the email provided on both of our Sermon Central pages. Please visit our YouTube Channel (Barry Johnson Ministries; New Light Faith Ministries, Inc.) to watch or listen to these lessons as well as other available sermons. Be blessed.

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome to our August Bible Study. This is Part 2 of “Sticks, Stones and Words.” Let’s open with a word of prayer. Last month we opened this study with the childhood phrase that is the foundation for both Part 1 and Part 2: "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.” We shared with you that the phrase was typically used as a deterrent by a smaller child that allowed him to walk away from a possible fight with a larger child. In the first lesson, we said bones may break and heal, but a harsh word can wound the soul for a lifetime. We reminded you that many Christians carry scars today, not from fists, but from words spoken in frustration, anger, bitterness, or betrayal. We also pointed out that this childhood phrase is a myth, a lie and that we must embrace the biblical truth that words have the power to destroy or most important, and this is what we want you to lean into – words can heal, build up and encourage.

Also in the first lesson, our focus, as it is in this one, was to show you how words – in particular the words that we use each day – can be both positive and negative forces in our lives. The first scripture that we used, Proverbs 18:21, is critical to understanding this truth. It reads as follows: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” The verse says that we are responsible for speaking death into our lives or for speaking life into our lives. Let that sink in. When we speak, our words will carry either death or life in them. The word tongue could be translated as “words” and be scripturally accurate. The word power means “authority, direction.” This tells us that we are the only ones with authority when it comes to the words that we speak. The word love means “to have affection for.” When we have an affection for someone or something, we think about them often, don’t we? In this verse, the same thinking is at play. The words that we speak are the words that dominate our thoughts and eventually become the fruit that manifests in our lives.

Jesus echoes what we read in Proverbs 18:21 in Luke 6. (43) "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. (44) For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. (45) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:43-35) This also reminded us of what the God says about Himself and the words that He speaks, which is found in Isaiah 55. We’re going to read verses eight through eleven. (8) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. (10) ‘For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, (11) So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.’” (Isaiah 55:8-11) This is a powerful passage, especially in light of the truth that we received God’s life when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and our words, just like His Words, will accomplish what we speak. Please let that sink in.

One more point of review before we continue. We opened Part One with John 8:44, which describes in graphic detail the nature of Satan. “44) “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” We want to draw your attention again to the truth that there is NO TRUTH IN SATAN. Keep this truth in mind as we continue with this lesson. In Part One, we talked about how gossip ruins reputations and lies destroy trust, and that verbal abuse shapes identities while sarcasm and cruelty crush spirits. If you have not viewed or listened to Part One, we encourage you to do so before continuing with this lesson because of the foundation we laid in that lesson.

Words and the Marriage Relationship

In Part Two, we are going to focus on how words impact the different relationships we engage in. We want to start with one of the most important relationships we might have – marriage. With words a husband or wife can make a spouse feel diminished, unattractive and unloved. Look at Ephesians 5 because there is something we want you to see. We’ll begin with verse 22. “(22) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (23) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. (24) Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. (25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. (Ephesians 5:22-25)

Too many Christian marriages don’t reflect what we just read. Accountability and responsibility for marriage begin with the husband. The husband’s love for his wife is to be the same as Christ’s love for His Church. That’s the standard. What does Christ do for His Church? He protects her. He provides for her. He cares for her. He loves her. But in many Christian homes, two other possible standards are at work, and both describe a home that’s out of order. The first is when a husband establishes the standards for their marriage. The second is when the wife establishes the standards for their marriage. In other cases, if the spouse does not meet the standards there will be friction in the home. The standard for marriage is not established by the husband or the wife. Jesus has already established the standard! Now here’s the sad part. In far too many marriages, a husband will establish standards for the marriage, but his wife won’t know what they are until she violates them. The same is true for the wife. Her husband won’t know what the standards are until he violates them. The marriage will suffer if both are not submitted to Christ and his standard for marriage.

Peter gives direct instructions to husbands in regards to how they are to speak to their wives. We are reading from First Peter 3:7 from the Amplified Bible. It says, “In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the marriage relationship], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.” (First Peter 3:7, AMP) Oftentimes husbands want to force their wives into submission, but submission cuts both ways. If husbands use words properly when with their wives, submission becomes a non-issue. Don’t forget what the Bible says about the husband and wife in Genesis 2:18 – “And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him."

Words Can Hurt Children

With words parents can abuse their children to the point that they grow up with little self-esteem, not liking themselves and then display that dislike in self-destructive behaviors. I’m sure most of you have seen this. Do you think a child grows up to be this way without any influence from the parent? Turn to Matthew chapter eighteen. We are going to begin reading with verse one. “(1) At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ (2) Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (6) ‘But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’” (Matthew 18:1-6) The Amplified Classic Edition presents verse six in a little more detail. “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in and acknowledge and cleave to Me to stumble and sin [that is, who entices him or hinders him in right conduct or thought], it would be better (more expedient and profitable or advantageous) for him to have a great millstone fastened or round his neck and to be sunk in the depths of the sea.”

Among the things this passage shows us is how teachable children are. They take things literally. What they hear they believe. What they are told to do, they do. For example, Ephraim, my oldest, when he was probably three or four years old my wife told him, “Go tell Daddy, you’re crazy.” Ephraim walks up to me and says “Daddy, I crazy.” That was not what my wife said. She told him to say to me, “Daddy, you’re crazy.” Instead, he tells me that he is crazy. This shows us how literal children are. Kids are extremely teachable and it is our responsibility to ensure what they learning is accurate and of God. Now let’s take this a little further. Imagine what will happen to a child who is constantly told “you’re no good” or “you’re not smart” or “I wish you were more like your older brother or sister” or asked, “Can’t you do anything right?” Imagine hearing this repeatedly for the first six, seven, eight, nine, ten years of your life. What you hear each time your parent says this is, “You are not good enough.” Words hurt. “I wish you would make better grades.”

Imagine being the child who hears that over and over for the first five, six, seven years of your life? What you hear each time your parent says something like this is, “You are not good enough.” Words like these can not only hurt but have long term damaging effects. You grow up thinking I was never good enough for my Mom and my Dad. I was never good enough. And if I was not good enough for my Mom and my Dad, I must not be good enough for anybody. Words hurt. I believe Paul was addressing statements when he wrote Ephesians 6:4 and I will be reading from the Amplified Bible, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) This verse speaks directly to how we talk to our children. We must be careful and aware of the words we speak and the impact they have.

Satan and Words

Satan uses words to deceive as we saw earlier in Genesis chapter three. Satan’s first recorded tactic was to twist God’s Word and plant seeds of doubt. He subtly altered God's instructions, creating confusion and distrust. Deception sounds close to the truth, but is always a distortion. Many are deceived today because of false teachings, cultural lies, and spiritual half-truths. With words, Satan deceived one third of the angels. With words, Satan deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden. With words, Satan poisoned the thoughts of men so much that it resulted in the worldwide flood that we read about in Genesis 6, 7 and 8. Genesis 6:5 says, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” What does Satan think about when he hears “but words can never hurt me?” “I can fill their minds with my thoughts because they don’t believe it will impact their lives.” “Here is someone I can cause to self-destruct.” How will the person self-destruct? Through the words that they use that are inspired by Satan.

Who do you think understands the power of words more, the people who say stick and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me, or Satan, the enemy of the soul? Satan uses words to feed us ungodly thoughts to try and convince us, the body of Christ that we’re powerless against him and that he still has authority in our lives. He doesn’t have power or authority in our lives. The only authority Satan can have in our lives is the authority we give to him. And the same is true for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The only authority they have in our lives is the authority that we give to them. God is not going to grab us by the collar and drag us into the promises He has for us. God is not going to grab us by the collar and make us obey Him. God is not going to grab us by the collar and make us confess the Word, make us pray in tongues (in the spirit), make us fast or make us spend time reading the Bible. God is not going to do any of that. Those are the decisions that we must make.

Satan uses words to try and convince us that Jesus really didn’t mean what He said when He said things like “the works I do you will do also.” Satan whispers, “I know Jesus said this, but you’re not Him?” Yes, we are. He whispers lies about the truth, but that’s all he can do. Satan also uses words to accuse us. Revelation 12:10 records, “Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.” Satan continually reminds us of our failures, whispers guilt, and shames us for past sins. He wants us to believe: “You’re not good enough.” “God could never forgive that.” “You’ll never change.” This leads to spiritual paralysis, discouragement, and even giving up on faith. This is why we must know the Word for ourselves.

We Are The Difference Makers

Satan uses words to convince us that God doesn’t hear our prayers. “Do you remember praying for your son’s runny nose and three days later he still had it? You see, God didn’t answer that prayer, did He?” Satan whispers junk like this all the time. But all he can do is whisper until you yield to what he’s whispering. Don’t do it. Satan uses words to convince us that the ungodliness in this country is so strong that we may as well stop speaking truth and give up. But Jesus says as long as there is light in this world, as long as we are in this world, godliness will never fully reign. “(14) You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16) Satan also uses words to convince us that the gospel is about our comfort, our happiness, and our prosperity and not about rescuing the lost from hell and the lake of fire and fighting for those who belong to Jesus so that they don’t leave Him. Satan wants us so focused on us that no one else matters. But that’s not what Jesus says in Matthew chapter six. “(19) Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; (20) but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. (21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

The treasures in verse 20 are the souls of the men, women and children who came to Jesus because we shared the Gospel with them. They are the treasures that we will see again. Paul put it this way in First Thessalonians 2:19 and 20 when he wrote, “(19) For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (20) For you are our glory and joy.” Since words can hurt let’s make sure that, going forward, we hurt Satan like never before. Since he’s the father of lies, what will hurt him the most? Speaking the truth causes him endless discomfort. In Matthew 4:4 we see that Jesus responds to Satan’s temptation with “It is written...” We must respond the same way – with this truth on our lips, the truth that we find in scripture. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” “What are you am saying about yourself? How are you talking about the tough situations that you are facing? Through your words, are you accepting something into your life that doesn’t belong in it?” But the most important question is this: “Is what you are saying what Jesus would say about you? Words are not empty. They are containers of power. God spoke the world into existence (Genesis 1). Jesus is called the Word made flesh (John 1:1). Satan used words to deceive Eve (Genesis 3). Words stir wars, break marriages, and causes all types of turmoil, but it doesn’t have to be so with us.

What Does The Bible SAY About Us?

Whose words are we listening to? Whose words are we believing? Are we believing the accuser’s lies or are we believing our Father’s truth? We are not what the devil says about us; we are who God says we are: Loved (Romans 5:8); Forgiven (First John 1:9); Victorious (First John 5:4) and A Child of God (John 1:12). We want to share a few Scriptures with you so you know what the WORD says about you as a child of God. Jesus says the following in John 6:63: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” With this in mind, let’s read a few passages that show us how God sees us and talks about us.

• We are the temple of the living God. “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." (Second Corinthians 2:16)

• We are God’s masterpiece. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

• We are complete in Him. “(9) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (10) and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9-10)

• We are special. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (Second Peter 2:9)

• We have an inheritance, and we no longer belong to Satan. “(12) giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. (13) He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:12-13)

• God is our Father! “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (First John 4:4)

• Our faith causes us to have victory in this world. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” (First John 5:4)

Examples of What Words Do

Before we close out this lesson, we want to summarize for you the importance of words. Remember Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Remembering this verse, words can…. Words Can Wound Deeply. Remember James 3:6 says, “The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness… it sets the whole course of one’s life on fire…” The tongue may be small, but it can do massive damage. Remember we told you that gossip ruins reputations while lies destroy trust. Verbal abuse shapes identities while sarcasm and cruelty crush spirits. Words can wound deeply. Words can also….

• Reveal the Heart. We told you that Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 that “….For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Remember, words aren’t random, they reflect the condition of the heart. If we have bitterness, pride, or anger in our hearts, it will show up in our speech. Words will always reveal what is within a person’s heart – all we need to do is listen. This next one is very important.

• Can Heal and Give Life. This is a big one. Ephesians 4:29 says “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up…” God gives us the ability to speak life into others: Encouragement can lift someone out of despair. Kindness can thaw a bitter heart. Truth in love can correct and restore. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Our words carry life and death – we need to focus on speaking life! David wrote in Psalms 141:3, “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Conclusion and Prayer

In Hebrews 1:13 and 14 we read the following: “(13) But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’"? (14) Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Angels are beings who are created for the kingdom. Now, what I am about to say is critical for you to grasp and understand: You were not created for the kingdom. You were born into the kingdom! This is why we can say to the devil, you are a created being. I am a son of God. You don’t have power and authority over me. I have power and authority over you!” Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, putting away lying (If you want to shut Satan down in your life, this is the verse!), Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” Who is Satan the father of? Remember what we read from John 8:44 in the first part of the study? He is the father of lies. So, if we want Satan neutralized in our lives, we must declare “From this day forward, I will never lie again. I will always speak truth.”

In Colossians 2:15 we read the following: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” When a king defeats another king, he puts the defeated king and everything he owns in shackles and parades them through the city behind his horse. The conqueror is putting the conquered on display. Through His death and resurrection, King Jesus has defeated Satan and his kingdom for all eternity, and this is why we can say, “You are defeated Satan. You are a lion without teeth. All you can do is growl and we are not moved by what you do.” We’re going to end this study with the first four verses in First Timothy 2. “(1) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

So why do we pray for our leaders? Primarily to give us the freedom to speak the Word and set the captives free. That’s why we do it and declare, “Satan, I joyfully pray for my country and my leaders because I am keeping the doors of freedom open for the lost to become the saved.” Sticks. Stones. Words. Never underestimate the importance of words because that is what Satan uses to defeat us. Let us use the words of our Father to defeat him!