Taking Authority Over Your Words Series

Sermon – Taking Authority Over Your Words

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32 “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

INTRODUCTION: Verbal abuse seems to run rampant on television, social media platforms and in cell phone conversations. Verbal abuse is intentionally using gestures and language to cause harm. Like all forms of abuse, the ultimate goal of verbal abuse is to exert power and control over another person. Words are used to threaten, intimidate, confuse, or criticize. Verbal abuse can look different from person to person. A lot of times when people use dirty words against others, it might be an indication of their frustration level. Abusing or cursing is a unique way to express their anger, desperation or even defeat. Believers are called to a higher standard.

Ephesians 4 reminds us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received in Christ Jesus. We are called to unity as a body of believers through one Lord, one Spirit, and one hope. God has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of service so the body of Christ may be built up and obtain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. We are reminded to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Since we are not our own, we belong to God. We must adopt a new attitude of self-control. One of the most difficult challenges of the believer is to control their tongue or their conversation to work God's way. We use words to express what we think and how we feel. We use words to ask questions, give directions, and explain things. We use words to encourage people and challenge people. We use words to communicate disapproval and disappointment, and we use words to express approval and appreciation. Words are a vital part of all we are and all we do. Our words are powerful and dangerous. We must use them with care. Words are powerful. Whether you write or speak them, they do have an impact on you and others. They express feelings and share knowledge. They can change someone’s mood completely and ignite a spark in them for good or bad.

The Bible says, “the tongue can no man tame.” Man has the power to subdue the largest, strongest, and wildest beasts in nature, yet he has not the power to tame his tongue. All that he can do, is to keep the tongue with a bridle and cause his tongue to speak wholesome words. (James 1.26) We must be slow to speak, swift to hear and slow to wrath.

James 3:2-7 says, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.”

We are a sound bite and acronym generation. So when it comes to really communicating we are not very good. It can be tough to communicate effectively in sound bites. Communication is shared with the tongue but comes from the heart.

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

In the NLT that verse reads, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”

Our key verse today is Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.”

Paul warns believers to choose their words carefully. Let no word come out without careful thought. Corrupt communication literally mean rank words, foul words, rotten words, worthless and unproductive words. Your words are a direct reflection of your heart. In other words, rotten words come from rotten hearts.