Proverbs 18:21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Matthew 12:34
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
So when we’re talking about words we’re really talking about attitudes and heart conditions exposed.
Listen to people, catch their heart and then speak to the situation. Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them.
Wives?? Amen??
Paul Trip The Life and Death power of words 5:23
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PJxbApcXFo
James 1:19
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Our words have the power to direct lives and change destinies for the good or for the bad.
We must be very careful with our words, especially around people who are looking to us for help and life.
No honor = little to no influence
Lots of Honor = Lots of influence
Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Honor allows us to stand on the shoulders of the previous generation not having to re-learn all the same lessons.
A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. A fool has to learn for himself.
I had dinner with a very good man on night and he told me he’d lost $50,000 in one securities trade. I thought woah. His comment was, got taught me a very valuable lesson about blah blah blah. I told him, man, go buy a $7 book and you can learn that lesson for a lot less.
When a person in authority is honored they are given the right to speak into a person’s life direction. The level of honor that the subordinate shows, the more power the words carry in that heart.
My observation has been that most if not all rebellion is birthed into the heart of people who are under authority that feel they have been abused or neglected. Basically they have expectations that are not being met and they hope and hope and hope for a change. Change never comes and their hope turns to bitterness and rebellion.
I’m not saying there necessarily has been abuse or neglect. Just perceived abuse or neglect will do it. The greater the honor and hope the greater the let down if expectations aren’t met.
Forms of Abuse
Physical
Emotional
Verbal
Sexual
Neglect
Let’s talk about neglect. Say you are a child and you want your dad to play ball with you when he gets home from work. He said he would etc.
You’ve been waiting all day for the opportunity to play ball with him and when he gets home he says, “Son, sorry I got busy at work today and I’ve got to work tonight.”
As adults we understand this and can make room for it. But as children this is hard. Our hopes are crushed and our dream to get to hang out with the coolest person on the planet has been destroyed. The hurt, if not reconciled can lead a child to become rebellious.
Ever notice how parents go from being the coolest person in the world to being the dumbest? Some of this is just kids learning to leave home and start their own lives. But some of it is rebellion.
Another form of abuse is not disciplining.
God disciplines those he loves, right.
Shouldn’t we?
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Notice it says careful. Discipline when done incorrectly and not carefully can lead to rebellion because it can slide over into abuse.
One of my children, I’m not going to say which one, was getting a little mouthy with Andrea. I explained to this child that before she was your mom she was my wife and you are not going to talk to her that way. I don’t care which one of your cool friends is around etc. I further went on to say I had a responsibility before God to bring correction to the situation and ,”trust me, I won’t let you down.”
Let’s get back onto words.
Kind words are very powerful to change the course direction of lives. We must be honest, speaking the truth in love but when we have a chance to use kind words we should really take advantage of the opportunity.
Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Wrath is Wrong
Sometimes we think our wrath and anger turns situations around.
James 1:20
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Kindness is Key
Romans 2:4
Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
If God’s kindness leads you toward repentance what does your kindness do for people around you?
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
These various character qualities listed here cause the world around us to take on the image of God. When we behave like this it causes us to become the salt and Light that we’re called to be.
Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Illuminating, preserving and bringing real change in the world. Becoming a vessel of honor, used by God.
Want someone to change?
compassion,
kindness,
humility,
Gentleness
patience.
A phone call one day.
1 Peter 3:1
1Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.
When we get into God’s presence his character starts to conform us into the image of his son.
It’s God’s kindness that leads to repentance.
The Love of God does more to change us than fear. We also should love causing people around us to change and conform to God’s highest standard of living.
I want to be a person who brings life to my children and those around me.
Jubilee Family Church
