Sermon Tone Analysis

Life and Death Are In Your Mouth!

Life and Death Are In Your Mouth!

INTRODUCTION:

The Tongue: Life and Death Are In Your Mouth!

Proverbs 18:20-21

INTRODUCTION:

INTRODUCTION:

1. Words are powerful...and words wrongly used can be hurtful.

Words are powerful...and words wrongly used can be hurtful.

2. The old saying, "stick & stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is not true.

3. Words wound & discourage & hurt…And if we’d be honest today, we would have to admit that one of the most difficult things to do in life is control what we say.

4. We can do a good job for a while but in a moment of weakness or frustration, we say the wrong thing & do irreparable damage.

4. But one of the most difficult things to do in life is control what we say…We can do a good job for a while but in a moment of weakness or frustration, we say the wrong thing & do irreparable damage.

5.

The Bible talks a great deal about the tongue & our words.

6.

In the book of Proverbs alone it’s suggested that there are about 90 proverbs that regard the issue of speech...That’s not only because of its importance, it’s also because most of us struggle to find consistency in this area of our lives.

I think all of us remember reading in the book of James where it says “Though the tongue is small, it is set on fire of hell.

With the same tongue we bless the Lord and curse our friends.”

If you were to study the book of Proverbs you'll notice that it has a lot to say about what we say.

In fact, the subject of the tongue and how we use our words is perhaps the preeminent theme of this book.

Over 150 times in this book alone, Proverbs refers to our lips, our mouth and our tongue.

7. Let’s be honest - Our tongue gets us into more trouble & causes more problems than probably anything else.

One of the central issues of the Book of Proverbs is how you use your tongue.

I think all of us remember reading in the book of James where it says “Though the tongue is small, it is set on fire of hell.

With the same tongue we bless the Lord and curse our friends.”

NOTE: Our words are important.

8. Our words can be used for good or bad…Our words can get us into trouble or keep us from trouble.

Words are important.

After all, God created the universe with words.

He spoke and it was so.

Proverbs 21:23

9. Words are important.

Two reasons why words are important:

Two reasons why words are important:

1) Because of the sheer quantity of words we use.

- Do you have any idea how many words you use in the course of an ordinary day…Probably not.

- But according to researchers, each person here will open his/her mouth an average of 700 times in a day.

You've probably heard of those techno-thrillers: “Hunt for Red October,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “The Sum of All Fears,” “Without Remorse.”

His works are always very thick, about 500-700 pages.

There are 1/2 million to 3/4 million words in an average Tom Clancy novel.

- In those 700 times, you will use an average of 18,000 words.

How long would it take you to say as many words as he writes in one of his books?

According to researchers, each person here will open his/her mouth an average of 700 times in a day.

- Those 18,000 words would translate to about 54 printed pages…which means that in one year, an average person would fill 66 books of 800 pages each.

In those 700 times, you will use an average of 18,000 words.

Those 18,000 words would translate to about 54 printed pages.

That means that in one year, an average person would fill 66 books of 800 pages each.

NOTE: Every year you write with your words 66 books…Is it any wonder Jesus said, “By your words you will be condemned and by your words you will be justified.”

2) Words reveal what’s in your heart

- Our words reveal what the heart contains.

This means that if our speech is inconsistent, it bears witness that our heart is divided.

2. Because of the amazing power of words.Think of what a few words put together can convey.

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” were the words spoken by Neil Armstrong 25 years ago.

“One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” were the words spoken by Neil Armstrong 25 years ago.

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask instead what you can do for your country,” spoken by John F. Kennedy at his inauguration.

NOTE: Your words are important, because with your words you either say something worthwhile or something that isn’t worth anything at all.

NOTE: If our speech is inconsistent, it bears witness that our heart is divided.

8.

So let’s look at our main text to get started...

NOTE: Whether you know it or not, there is the power of life and there is the power of death within you.

Proverbs 18:20-21, “From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

NOTE: Whether you know it or not, there is the power of life and there is the power of death within you.

NOTE: Whether you know it or not, there is the power of life and there is the power of death within you.

- Everything you have said this week has either been life-giving or death-dealing, and there is nothing in between.

Whether you know it or not, there is the power of life and there is the power of death within you.

Everything you have said this week has either been life-giving or death-dealing, and there is nothing in between.

- The tongue has the power to kill, to destroy, to hurt, to maim and to assassinate...but it also has the power to give life & encouragement.

- The writer of Proverbs is saying that those who are prone to use their tongue must take the consequences of their words.

9. So, let’s look at what Proverbs says about what we should & shouldn’t do when it comes to our speech.

I) Right Uses of the Tongue

1.

The tongue can be used for wise counsel and sound advice.

Proverbs 10:31

- We’ve all had the experience of someone saying something that helped us see things in a way that opens a door of understanding.

Proverbs 15:7

What comes out of a righteous man?

Wisdom.

What comes out of a wise man?

Knowledge.

- It may have been a teacher who shared words that brought insight…or a counselor who helped you see things with a helpful perspective…or even scriptural teaching that gives you great clarity on the things and ways of God.

NOTE: Wise counselors are valuable…and we should strive to be people who bring clarity and wisdom rather than a fog of confusion.

These two things ought to be coming out of your mouth all the time.

- As we live our lives we should be dispensers of wisdom & knowledge .

2. The tongue can speak rebuke and reproof.

If you listen to constructive criticism you will be at home among the wise.

If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction you grow in understanding.

The best way to extend wise counsel is to share your faith.

tells us “the seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends (souls).” says “the tongue can bring death or life;” The best thing we can do with our words is point other people to Jesus; to tell them the life-changing truth of the gospel.

2. The tongue can speak rebuke and reproof.

Proverbs 17:10

NOTE: Sometimes giving wise advice involves correction & rebuke.

At times we will have to be the ones that gives words of correction to others.

- And it’s not that we’re trying to be judgmental or harsh...but it’s b/c we care.

If you find a man of understanding and you rebuke him, he will be impressed by your rebuke more than if you find a fool and beat him with a lash 100 times.

That is because a wise man, a man of discernment, is a man you can come to and say, “My friend, I think you’re on the wrong path.

My friend, I’m not sure about what you’re doing.

Before you do that, stop and think.