Written by Pastor Mark Driskill
November 17, 2011

Read Ephesians 4:29

What a grievous thing it is to read filthy language on Facebook, and hear verbal sewage flowing from the lips with no consideration of the impact such dark utterances are having on the hearers and on the Spirit of God. He has created the mouth for nobler purposes than to tear down and desecrate one another. How awful it is to hear slander, gossip, insult and innuendo cutting deep into our souls and that’s just from the Christians!

Seriously friends, it’s so disheartening to hear those who profess Christ speak as if they never knew him. A little insult here, a tad of gossip there, what’s the big deal about a dirty joke, right? Oh friends if we knew the power of our words we would be more careful about what things we allow ourselves to utter. Paul tells us not to allow any corrupting talk come from our mouths, but only what is fitting to give grace to the hearers. Why are our words so important as believers?

First, our words are loaded with power. In Proverbs we are told that the power of life and death are in the tongue. Do you know that you are either speaking life or death over your life and over the lives of those around you? Why do you think a child grows up living out the prophecies of their parents and peers? Words are like chisels that cut into the soul either shaping us for life or death. Many of you have children who rebel simply because you have told them to. Think for a moment about the words that have been spoken over you. It’s been years since someone said that one thing about you, and yet you have never forgotten it. It still impacts you doesn’t it?

Second, our words reveal who we really are. Jesus said out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Do you not see that the arrows that fly from your tongue, whether good or evil, are forged in the furnace of your heart? What you say tells more than you want it to. This is why James tells us the fountain of our speech should not give bitter water and sweet. We cannot live for God while we speak for Satan!

Third, and most sobering to me, you will answer to God for what you say. “I tell you the truth; you will give an account for every careless word you speak. By your words you will either be justified or condemned.” Jesus said. If you think your words are just words, think again. According to Jesus words shape eternity, for the speaker as well as the hearer.

Friends let us consecrate our tongues so that they are used to minister grace and mercy. You say you cannot control your tongue. Exactly, but you can consecrate it. Give it to Jesus and ask him to fill it with the Holy Spirit. Become so busy declaring the praises of God that you have no room to speak any longer those words of death. Stop cursing and start blessing. Stop destroying and start building up. Stop killing and start giving life. You have no idea the amazing potential you carry to bless whole generations and nations with that small muscle that rests behind your teeth. Consecrate it unto God. Stop embarrassing Christ with evil language and bring him glory with words of light.

Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten By the Word web ministry
See our website at http://ourchurch.com/member/b/bbtw
and
www.facebook.com (to group “begotten by the word”)
Begotten By the Word is a ministry of Helping Hands Christian resources-Evangelism Outreach
www.hhcr05.org
(Feel free to copy in any way that will bring glory to God and further his kingdom.)