Every Careless Word

Hard Sayings of Jesus # 2

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2001026

Subject: tongue; words; character

Preached originally: 05/06/01 – Rapid City, SD

 

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