Disciplined Speech

2004034

Topic: 1494 – discipline

Introduction:

A.     Christians have left godlessness to become new people in Christ.

B.     Christians have placed Jesus in charge of their life.

1.      He is in charge of our attitudes, emotions, reactions, thinking, values, and our morality.

2.      This change is a process & there will be times when we slip & fall.

3.      But…key to change is discipline & that comes by renewing our minds.

C.    Eph. 4:27 – do not give the devil an opportunity:

1.      can we give him opportunities to trash our influence & damage our spiritual lives?

2.      Hardly anyone sets out to do this…what Christian would say:

a)     today…I’ll give the devil a change. I’ll listen to what he has to say.

b)     This is a good situation to give the devil an opportunity..

c)      This situation will improve if I give the devil an opportunity.

D.    But…we can look back at what we’ve done/said & realize that we have in fact given him an opportunity.

1.      embarrassing & shameful.

2.      if the devil gains an opportunity in our lives, speech, or actions – we give it to him.

3.      Satan does not overpower us. He deceives us.

a)     John 8:44- he is the father of lies

b)     He is the master of deception. No human could ever equal him.

c)      Danger: we rarely realize Satan is using us while we’re being used.

d)     It is only when we realize what we said or how we acted that we realized Satan used us.

E.     How often does he use us to promote his purposes by the way we speak?

1.      Said anything lately that you regret?  Easy to do!

2.      battle tongue = battle many have to fight daily! Years to overcome.

F.     What we say is important. Words can come back to haunt us.

1.      In this life:

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

3.      Matthew 12:33-37

G.    12:36-37 – scary isn’t it. Esp. when we b/g to think of all careless words spoken in past.

1.      when battling our tongue – we need to pray – Lord, increase our faith.

2.      during this lesson, we’ll talk about what careless words are; what they reveal about our character; how to change our heart; and the emphasis to discipline ourselves 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 talk all the time.

3.      not referring to joking around or having fun.

a)     Pro. 17:22 – laughter is 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 to the hearer.

1.      evil words that excite the lusts and 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.      Mt. 12:34 – Jesus says the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.  See also 15:18

2.      we can get just a peek in to the contents of someone’s heart by the words they speak.

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

1.      character/heart/mindset to be changed when we come to Jesus for salvation.

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 & eternal things.

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

4.      Eph. 4:22-24

C.    We can change our character by:

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

a)     garbage in; garbage out.

2.      Having/associating with 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.      John 15:4-7 – ask whatever you wish – it will be done for you!

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

 

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

A.     Eph. 4:29 – here is a commandment from the Holy Spirit.

1.      applicable for Christians today.

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

3.      encourage others – how well 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.    Js. 3:1-12 – to do this requires constant effort.

 

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 just 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.      Eph. 4:27 – are you giving the devil an opportunity?

2.      easy to fall short in this area!

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