Every Careless Word

2001026

Subject: tongue; words; character

Introduction:

A. Said anything lately that you regret?

1. Easy to do isn’t it?

2. Battle tongue = battle many have to fight daily! Can take years/rest of life to overcome.

3. Deep respect for those who are of few words – C. King, etc.

B. What we say = important. Words can come back to haunt us.

1. in this life

2. more importantly, in the life that is to come.

3. Text Mt. 12:33-37

C. 12:36-37 – scary isn’t it? B/g to think of the all the careless words I have spoken in the past.

1. This could be like the hard saying we talked about this AM.

2. When battling our tongue – we need to pray – Lord, increase our faith.

D. Tonight, we’re going to discuss what these “careless” words are – what they reveal about our character; how to change our heart – and the emphasis to focus on good things so our tongue won’t be filthy.

I. What is a “careless” word?

A. What it is NOT referring to:

1. careless; innocent talk on subjects secular & social.

2. we engage in this kind of talk all the time.

3. not referring to joking around or having fun.

a) Prov. 17:22 – laughter a good thing!

b) I’m of the persuasion that we need more laughter.

B. Idle/careless words are: vain; thoughtless; useless words – a word that accomplishes no good.

C. McGarvey: words which are vulgar & coarse & corrupt the hearer.

1. evil words that excite the lusts & corrupt men.

2. Eph. 5:3-4 – no filthiness or sillytalk.

3. “Jesting” here – witty speech which includes sinful instruction.

a) Colly Caldwell: a sly question; a smart answer; a shrewd imitation; a clever retort; a lustful joke can describe this sin.

D. The Christian should not participate in that which is coarse; base; suggestive of evil; or godless.

II. What Idle Words Reveal about our Character.

A. Character: moral/ethical strength; integrity; fortitude.

1. Jesus says: 12:34 – the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. See also 15:18.

2. We can get just a peek into the contents of someone’s heart by the words that they speak.

B. If we speak things that are unbecoming of a Christian – then it suggests there are traits involving our character than need improvement.

1. character/heart/mindset to be changed upon coming to Christ.

2. Rom. 12:1-2 – be transformed!

a) by the renewing of your mind!

b) Mind renewed by: changing our will; affections; & will to focusing upon spiritual things; eternal things.

3. Barnes: Christianity must reign in the soul. Having it’s seat there, the external conduct & habits will be regulated accordingly.

4. See also Eph. 4:22-24

C. We can change our character by:

1. meditating upon good, wholesome things – Phil. 4:8

a) garbage in; garbage out.

2. Having/associating w/Christian friends – 1 Cor. 15:33

3. a steadfast commitment to go no where near sin/temptation if at all possible – Eph. 5:3 – not even a hint!

4. making up our mind to do it – Phil. 4:13

III. We are known by our fruits. (12:33)

A. See also Mt. 7:16-18

1. Actions – what we do – spells out contents of our heart.

2. may speak/talk like big Christian – but in reality we’re just full of hot air!

B. We must endeavor to possess fruits of Christianity by putting on Christ.

1. Jhn. 15:4-7 – ask whatever you wish – it will be done for you.

2. Mean $ 1 million? Certainly not!

3. whatever we need spiritually speaking – God will provide it!

IV. How are we doing w/controlling our tongue?

A. Eph. 4:29 – Here = commandment from HS.

1. Applicable for Christians today.

2. to speak only that which edifies; gives grace to those who hear.

3. encourage others – how do we do here? Tell others we appreciate their efforts – or do we criticize; complain; murmur?

B. Col. 4:6 – need to know how to respond to each person.

C. To do these things = constant effort – Js. 3:1-12.

Conclusion:

A. Back to Mt. 12:36-37

1. By our words – we either justified/condemned.

2. Good words, good thoughts; good deeds – we will be judged righteous in judgment.

B. Make no mistake – evil words, evil thoughts, evil deeds will condemn us.

C. Lets’ make sure we watch what comes out of our mouth

1. easy to fall short in this area!

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Every Careless Word 2001026 Subject: tongue; words; character Introduction: A. Said anything lately that you regret? 1. Easy to do isn’t it? 2. Battle tongue = battle many have to fight daily! Can take years/rest of life to overcome. 3. Deep respect for those who are of few words – C. King, etc. B. What we say = important. Words can come back to haunt us. 1. in this life 2. more importantly, in the life that is to come. 3. Text Mt. 12:33-37 C. 12:36-37 – scary isn’t it? B/g to think of the all the careless words I have spoken in the past. 1. This could be like the hard saying we talked about this AM. 2. When battling our tongue – we need to pray – Lord, increase our faith. D. Tonight, we’re going to discuss what these “careless” words are – what they reveal about our character; how to change our heart – and the emphasis to focus on good things so our tongue won’t be filthy. I. What is a “careless” word? A. What it is NOT referring to: 1. careless; innocent talk on subjects secular & social. 2. we engage in this kind of talk all the time. 3. not referring to joking around or having fun. a) Prov. 17:22 – laughter a good thing! b) I’m of the persuasion that we need more laughter. B. Idle/careless words are: vain; thoughtless; useless words – a word that accomplishes no good. C. McGarvey: words which are vulgar & coarse & corrupt the hearer. 1. evil words that excite the lusts & corrupt men. 2. Eph. 5:3-4 – no filthiness or sillytalk. 3. “Jesting” here – witty speech which includes sinful instruction. a) Colly Caldwell: a sly question; a smart answer; a shrewd imitation; a clever retort; a lustful joke can describe this sin. D. The Christian should not participate in that which is coarse; base; suggestive of evil; or godless. II. What Idle Words Reveal about our Character. A. Character: moral/ethical strength; integrity; fortitude. 1. Jesus says: 12:34 – the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. See also 15:18. 2. We can get just a peek into the contents of someone’s heart by the words that they speak. B. If we speak things that are unbecoming of a Christian – then it suggests there are traits involving our character than need improvement. 1. character/heart/mindset to be changed upon coming to Christ. 2. Rom. 12:1-2 – be transformed! a) by the renewing of your mind! b) Mind renewed by: changing our will; affections; & will to focusing upon spiritual things; eternal things. 3. Barnes: Christianity must reign in the soul. Having it’s seat there, the external conduct & habits will be regulated accordingly. 4. See also Eph. 4:22-24 C. We can change our character by: 1. meditating upon good, wholesome things – Phil. 4:8 a) garbage in; garbage out. 2. Having/associating w/Christian friends – 1 Cor. 15:33 3. a steadfast commitment to go no where near sin/temptation if at all possible – Eph. 5:3 – not even a hint! 4. making up our mind to do it – Phil. 4:13 III. We are known by our fruits. (12:33) A. See also Mt. 7:16-18 1. Actions – what we do – spells out contents of our heart. 2. may speak/talk like big Christian – but in reality we’re just full of hot air! B. We must endeavor to possess fruits of Christianity by putting on Christ. 1. Jhn. 15:4-7 – ask whatever you wish – it will be done for you. 2. Mean $ 1 million? Certainly not! 3. whatever we need spiritually speaking – God will provide it! IV. How are we doing w/controlling our tongue? A. Eph. 4:29 – Here = commandment from HS. 1. Applicable for Christians today. 2. to speak only that which edifies; gives grace to those who hear. 3. encourage others – how do we do here? Tell others we appreciate their efforts – or do we criticize; complain; murmur? B. Col. 4:6 – need to know how to respond to each person. C. To do these things = constant effort – Js. 3:1-12. Conclusion: A. Back to Mt. 12:36-37 1. By our words – we either justified/condemned. 2. Good words, good thoughts; good deeds – we will be judged righteous in judgment. B. Make no mistake – evil words, evil thoughts, evil deeds will condemn us. C. Lets’ make sure we watch what comes out of our mouth 1. easy to fall short in this area! D. I N V I T A T I O N