Watch your words: What are they teaching?

We are finishing up a series on being the body of christ and i have to tell you i am excited for this sunday. We are going to be discussing the role of our words. Here is a good cliff note version of what we are going to be talking about:
James 3:7-12 NLT
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. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

or how about this scripture:
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. (Proverbs 10:19-21 NLT)

Godly people should think first talk second, be slow to speak and it will help keep feet out of your mouth. We can forget how powerful our words can be, what we may think could be a innocent joke or insult could be so damaging to a person. The line "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me;" what a lie. Words may not only hurt you but they could leave scars that last forever. Our words are so powerful and so important, and they say so much about us, who we are, and what we represent. When we claim to be the body of christ I cant help but look at how Christ used his words to teach and to lead people to him with his love. Christ spoke to his disciples all the time finding every opportunity to reach them and help grown spiritually. There were times he would stop alongside the road using a vineyard as an illustration to let us know that we are branches and he is a vine and without him we can not thrive grow or even live, and definitely cant produce fruit without him. Or how about on the sermon on the mount when jesus taught the masses on a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee. He told people how they should live so that they would be happy and pleasing to God. He told them to be peacemakers; they would be called the children of God. He told them to love their enemies, and to do good to people who hated them. They were to pray for people who mistreated them. He said they were to be like salt, like a city on a hill and like a light that would light the way for others. His followers were to be a good influence on others and try to get other people to do the right thing. He wanted people to share with others out of love for them.

Ultimately Christ taught us one thing that sums this all up, Love The Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as your self. Use your words in love, be a person that encourages instead of someone that brings people down. Find ways to fill someones cup instead of pointing out how empty it is. More importantly live your words out, words without action is more detrimental than anything, like Christ we need to live what we speak, and be upfront if we make mistakes and learn to grow from them.


Lord I pray that we can use our words for the good, teaching our children to be peace seekers, using wisdom, knowing when to remain silent and when to speak, knowing how to use tact to deal with a difficult situation, and God i pray that our actions may match our mouths. In Jesus name Amen