Taming the Tongue – Part 4

25 November 07

1. Introduction:

· James 3:3-8  -  The tongue directs the course of our life like a bridle or a rudder.

· The words we speaks impacts our relationships, our personal health and destiny.

· The words we agree with in our hearts and speak with our mouth shape our present and determine our future.

· Words are containers – they carry a ‘spirit’ content.

Words are seeds – they are living seeds that produce fruit when spoken.

What words are you releasing into the world around.

2. Devine Design:

• We are designed to be ambassadors of the Kingdom, speak and act on behalf of God.
• Ephesians 5:1  -  “be followers of God as dear children”.

- Follower = 3402 = imitate, mimic, to speak and act like another.

- We are called to imitate our Heavenly Father – to speak and act like Him, represent Him.

• How God uses Words  - God speaks:

1. Words that Create:

· Hebrews 11:3  -  “By faith we understand the words were formed by the word of God”.

· Framed = 2675 = to put in order, arrange, make what ought to be, completely finished.

· The first recorded use of words = words used to create something visible.

· Jesus did exactly this when He blessed the loaves and fish – Mark 6:41

· He spoke creatively into them and released a creative miracle into the earth.

2. Words that Impart Life:

· John 6:63  -  “The words I speak to you are spirit, they are life.

· Words are containers for what is in our spirit.

· When words are spoken their spirit content is felt – creates and impression.

· God uses words to nurture the spirit of people and to impart supernatural life.

· Jesus did this when He spoke to the man with the withered hand – Mark 3:5.

· He also did it when He spoke to discouraged disciples – Luke 4:32.

3. Words that Release Spiritual Authority:

· Luke 4:36  -  “What a word is this, for with authority power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out”.

· Jesus spoke with authority – there was a weight, force behind His words.

· Jesus words released spiritual power that demons obeyed.

· Jesus spoke words to trees, storms, sickness, demons, dead men.

· His words carried a spiritual substance that altered the world around Him.

· He spoke words that He heard from His Father with faith they would work.

· We are called to imitate God:

- John 14:12  -  He that believes in Me – the works that I do, he will do also”.

- Mark 1:22 -  Have the faith of God – Who ever says to this mountain “Be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart….”

- God fully stands behind the words He speaks.

- We are designed to use words to create, impart life, release Spirit Power and Authority.

3.  Don’t Speak Empty Words:

· We have looked at:

i)  Lying Words           ii)  Gossip Words       iii)  Put Down Words

· These release a spirit of murder and death that impacts people.

· Matthew 12:34-37  -  “Every idle word that men speak, they will give account”.

- Words we speak reveal who we are – “As good as his word”.

- Words we speak are noted, recorded and have significance in the spirit world.

· “Idle” = 692 = without work, barren, yielding no return.

- words that we spoke but did not mean it.

- Words that we spoke but did not intend to fulfill.

- Words that were insincere, not genuine.

- Empty words – without significance or substance or content.

· Examples of ‘Empty Words’ – they release a Spirit of Death:

· Death = distance, separation, coldness, distrust.

i) Flattery:

· Flattery = excessive or insincere praise.

                    = positive words spoken that conceal a hidden agenda.

· Agenda is usually to gain favour, gain knowledge, impress, please, placate.

· Proverbs 29:5  -  “Men who flatters their neighbour spreads a net for feet”.

ii) Religious Words:

· Matthew 15:8  -  Honour me with their lips but their heart is far from me”.

· Religious words – “sound nice”, “sound plausible” but have no spirit life.

· Saying the ‘right thing”.

iii) Lame excuses:

· 1 Samuel 15:24,25,30 

· Lame excuse = failure to take responsibility and empty words to cover failure.

· Lame excuses for not coming to work, doing job, completing responsibility.

iv) Insincere Commitments:

· A commitment is a undertaking to fulfill some responsibility.

· E.g.:     * Well meaning         - meant to do it but forgot

* Vague                     - commitment lacks clarity

* Punctuality             - commitment to be at place on time

* Reluctant                - commitment under pressure – please

* Insincere                 - said to please person or get these ‘of

                                      my back’.

                                    - said ‘Yes’ but really meant ‘No’.

4.  Words Impact our World:

• Numbers 23:19  -  “God is not a man that He should lie….has He said and will He not do? Has He spoken and will He not make it good?”.
• Works:                        * Establish your credibility

* Establish your character

* Establish your testimony as ambassador

* Establish standing before God

· Start small – repent of empty words – keep your word in small matters.

· Psalm 15:1-4  -  Keep your commitments, honor your words.