Jesus And Me, Part 8: The Power of Words

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

The tongue has the power of life and death…
Proverbs 18:21

James 3:5–10
⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
      ⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
      ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
      “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings… Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

The Point:
If what we contradicts what we ,
that’s a problem!

The dark side of our words:

(Ephesians 4:31)

(Proverbs 16:28)

(Exodus 20:16)

(Exodus 20:7)

speech (Psalm 12:3)

words (Ephesians 4:29)

of words – If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin. James 4:17

Use the life-giving expression of…

(Romans 12:10)

(Ephesians 4:25)

(Hebrews 13:15)

(Proverbs 27:2)

(Proverbs 15:1)

(Proverbs 31:8)

A word aptly spoken
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
Proverbs 25:11

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever embarrassed yourself with your words? Share!
2. Can you think of a person who changed the direction of your life through the power of their words? What did they say?
3. Read James 3:5–10 out loud. What are these verses saying to you about your heart right now?
4. What is the biggest trap you fall into when it comes to your words?
5. How can use your words to build up or honor someone right now?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?