Proverbs 18:20-21 (ESV) 20 From the fruit of a man's mouth his ...
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Owasso First Assembly of God Pastor Bruce McCarty Feb. 19, 2017
Proverbs 18:20-21 (ESV) 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 1. The book of Proverbs refers to our lips, mouth and tongue over 150 times. 2. The only earthly being that has the power of speech is mankind. 3. On average a person will speak 18,000 words per day. That would fill 54 printed pages. In a year, a person’s spoken words would produce 66 books of 800 pages each! Proverbs 10:19 (ESV) When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. James 1:19 (ESV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, SLOW TO SPEAK, slow to anger; 4. Your words reveal your heart.
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Matthew 12:34-37 (ESV) 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 5. James says the tongue has great power to destroy. James 3:5-6 (ESV) 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 6. Your words will either be a source of encouragement or discouragement to those who hear it. Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Psalm 141:3 (ESV) Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 1. Words that tear down
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1. Words that are rash or hasty bring great pain. Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) There is one whose rash(careless, thoughtless) words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 29:20 (ESV) Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. James 1:26 (ESV) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 2. Words that stir up strife. Proverbs 18:6 (ESV) A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. Proverbs 29:11 (ESV) A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. 3. Words that diminish hope. (discourage) 4. Words of gossip. Proverbs 10:18b (ESV) . . . . . . whoever utters slander is a fool. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? 5. Words of flattery.
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Proverbs 26:28 (ESV) A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. 2. Words that build up 1. Words of wise advice. Proverbs 10:31 (ESV) The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. Proverbs 15:7 (ESV) The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 2. Words of encouragement. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 15:23 (ESV) To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! Proverbs 16:24 (ESV) Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 3. Words of correction. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
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righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Three points of application: 1. Ask God to help you guard your mouth so that your words are pleasing to Him. Psalm 19:14 (ESV) 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Ephesians 5:4 (ESV) 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 2. Ask God to help you hear words that are spoken with a right perspective. If truthful to adjust and if false to press on. 3. Ask God to completely heal you of past hurts and give you the ability to hear what He has said about you.
Owasso First Assembly of God Pastor Bruce McCarty Feb. 19, 2017
Proverbs 18:20-21 (ESV) 20 From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 1. The book of Proverbs refers to our lips, mouth and tongue over 150 times. 2. The only earthly being that has the power of speech is mankind. 3. On average a person will speak 18,000 words per day. That would fill 54 printed pages. In a year, a person’s spoken words would produce 66 books of 800 pages each! Proverbs 10:19 (ESV) When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. James 1:19 (ESV) Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, SLOW TO SPEAK, slow to anger; 4. Your words reveal your heart.
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Matthew 12:34-37 (ESV) 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” 5. James says the tongue has great power to destroy. James 3:5-6 (ESV) 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 6. Your words will either be a source of encouragement or discouragement to those who hear it. Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Psalm 141:3 (ESV) Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! 1. Words that tear down
Page 3 of 5
1. Words that are rash or hasty bring great pain. Proverbs 12:18 (ESV) There is one whose rash(careless, thoughtless) words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 29:20 (ESV) Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. James 1:26 (ESV) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 2. Words that stir up strife. Proverbs 18:6 (ESV) A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. Proverbs 29:11 (ESV) A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. 3. Words that diminish hope. (discourage) 4. Words of gossip. Proverbs 10:18b (ESV) . . . . . . whoever utters slander is a fool. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? 5. Words of flattery.
Page 4 of 5
Proverbs 26:28 (ESV) A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. 2. Words that build up 1. Words of wise advice. Proverbs 10:31 (ESV) The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. Proverbs 15:7 (ESV) The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. 2. Words of encouragement. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV) Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 15:23 (ESV) To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! Proverbs 16:24 (ESV) Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. 3. Words of correction. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
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righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Three points of application: 1. Ask God to help you guard your mouth so that your words are pleasing to Him. Psalm 19:14 (ESV) 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Ephesians 5:4 (ESV) 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 2. Ask God to help you hear words that are spoken with a right perspective. If truthful to adjust and if false to press on. 3. Ask God to completely heal you of past hurts and give you the ability to hear what He has said about you.
