The Power Of Your Words

THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS

Matthew 5: 33-37

33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Today, we will continue our series on Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

We will talk about the POWER OF THE WORDS we speak to people.

Many of us have not fully grasped the truth about this.

In fact, Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) says: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

The word "power" is from the Hebrew "Tad" which means the strength, the influence, the capability, the potential.

It means that our tongue or the words we speak have power.

This tongue can have the power of life and death.

That means, we can either destroy or heal people through our words.

We can either crush people's hearts or bring confidence to them.

We can either encourage faithfulness by our words or ultimately discourage people by our words.

We can either bring devastation or bring healing to relationships.

We can either dismantle an ongoing plan or inspire dreams to be fulfilled through our words.

We can either build bridges or build walls.

We can bring poison or bring medicine to people through our tongue.

It is our choice.

This is the reason why Jerusalem and Judah fell.

Isaiah 3:8 says: (KJV) "For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of this glory."

Remember that they were God's own people.

They were under God's protection and care.

But there was a time when God's own hand of protection was lifted from them.

When they used their tongue against the Lord.

When acted in a manner that God despised.

They have provoked the Lord to anger.

Their own words have brought them down.

There is power in our words.

Our tongue has this capability that we can't ignore.

We must not overlook the positive or negative possibilities that this tongue can do.

We must not take this for granted.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Our words have power.

Therefore, our words must be under control.

Our words must be tamed.

Our words must be put under the subjection of the Holy Spirit.

Our words must be directed for the common good.

Because it says that those who love it will eat its fruits.

Those who use it well will bring assistance, confidence and cheer to people.

Those who use it well can bring consolation, faith and fortitude to people.

Those who use it well can bring optimism, inspiration and reassurance to people.

Those who use it well can bring help, support and reconciliation to people.

We must use our tongue because it has the potential and the power for good.

Illustration:

John Wesley was a great English preacher of the 1700s.

He was considered a rather a stylish or classy dresser.

One Sunday morning he wore a bow tie that had long ribbons that hung downward.

After the sermon was over a lady walked up to him and said, "Brother Wesley, are you open to some criticism?"

He said, "I guess so.

What would you like to criticize?"

She said, "The ribbons on your tie are entirely too long and inappropriate for a man of God."

And she took out her scissors and cut them off.

A hush fell over the people standing there as Wesley calmly asked,

"Now may I borrow the scissors for a moment?"

As she handed them to him, he said,

"Ma’am, are you open to some criticism?"

She answered, "Well, I suppose I am."

He said, "All right then, please stick out your tongue."

We will not cut out your tongue, but that is just an example of the menace that your words can do.

And so today, we will look at three things about the power of the Tongue and how to bring healing with your words.

How do we put our words under control?

1. Faithfulness with our words is required.

2. Curse words must be eliminated.

3. Simple words must be applied.

HOW TO BRING HEALING WITH YOUR WORDS:

1. WE MUST BE FAITHFUL WITH OUR WORDS.

Matthew 5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’