Sticks, Stone And Words Part 2 Series

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.