Our words direct the path we take and the paths of others

1. The words we use can bring death or life Proverbs 18:21 and James 3:1-12
1. (James 3:1-2) Church teachers will be judged more strictly with mistakes, control tongue all else follows
2. (James 3:3-5) Our speech directs our path, controls where we go
3. (James 3:6) Small words can corrupt an entire body, setting life on fire, set by hell itself
4. (James 3:7-8) Our tongue is restless, evil, full of poison
5. (James 3:9-10) Praises to God, curses to people of God come from the same mouth, not right!
6. (James 3:11-12) Springs don't bubble fresh and bitter water - you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring
• Principle: Our words direct the path we take and the paths of others
• Application: Do I speak words that bring life or death to people? Am I mindful of the consequences words I speak? Is there hypocrisy in what I say and what I really think? What words should I focus on? (God's word, Christ a bubbling spring of eternal life welling up inside me John 4:14)
2. Jesus' words: A fresh bubbling spring within, giving eternal life John 4:14; John 4:39-42
3. Words that bring life and our motivation 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:20;1 Peter 4:11 2 Timothy 3:16-17
1. (1 Thessalonians 2:4) For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people.
2. (2 Corinthians 5:20) We are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.
3. (1 Peter 4:11) Speak as though God himself were speaking through you
4. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) All Scripture is useful for equipping the servant of God for every good work
• Principle: Only God has words that are good, useful for training the church
• Application: Do I know the scriptures? When will I set aside time for scripture intake? Do I think of myself as a messenger of God or Christ ambassador? Is that what Christianity is (Does my life reflect that?)?
4. How can we knowing right from wrong words? Ephesians 4:14-16;1 John 4:1-5
1. (Ephesians 4:14-16) Not immature and influenced with clever lies. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing more like Christ, building up the church healthy, growing and full of love
2. (1 John 4:1-5) We don't believe everyone who claims to be Christian because there are many false prophets who deny Jesus Christ
• Principle: Maturity and testing according to God's word is necessary to know right from wrong
• Application: Do I know the scriptures? When will I set aside time for scripture intake? Is there an influence of false prophets in my life? What are modern day false prophets that people listen too (who are clever, yet deny Jesus)? What music or talk show do I listen to that might be a modern day false prophet? Will I repent and what does that look like?

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