Using Your Words for God's Intended Purpose
(Prov 12:18 TNIV) The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
This morning we continue our series, In this verse Solomon goes back to the power of words. You just can't get around it. One of the most powerful weapons the Lord gave us is our tongue. If you look at the "Armor of God" in Ephesians chapter six you will see that Paul describes six pieces in the armor. They are: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Five of the six pieces are completely defensive in nature. The only offensive weapon we have against the kingdom of darkness is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The question then is: how do we yield this sword? How do we engage it against the enemy? The answer is simple: with our tongue, by speaking God's Word. That's why Solomon later said, "Your tongue has the power of life and death" (Prov 18:21). The same tongue that can be used to tear down can be used to build up. The same power that can be released against the enemy and his kingdom can also be released against another human and the results can be disastrous. In Iraq and during deployments service members carry their weapons (with ammunition) wherever they go. Safety becomes a major concern for leaders, because a mistake made by an undisciplined soldier, with access to live ammunition, can cost lives. That's what Solomon is getting to here. He says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords."
Those that don't understand the power of the tongue speak reckless words and it is as if they are yielding a reckless sword. All because they don't understand how powerful their words are. Pastor and author Dr. Myles Munroe said, "When purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable." If you don't understand the purpose of the tongue - how God intended it to be used to build up others and tear down the kingdom of darkness - you inevitably abuse others with it.
Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs. Misplaced words can have devastating affects. Later in Proverbs Solomon said, "Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim" (15:4). Don't be the one who uses his tongue to wound and maim. Use your tongue for God's glory. Use it as a vehicle of positive change. Use it as an instrument of good. Heed the words of Paul when he said, "Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out" (Colossians 4:6).So what does this mean? It means that your tongue can be used to speak life or death, health or healing, it can provide medicine or poison, it can help or it can hurt, so be very careful how you use it. Be slow to speak (James 1:19), consider your words carefully. Ann Landers said, "The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven't thought of yet."
Think your words through. Speak them with purpose, so that you can release the power and potential the Father put in your tongue. And unless you absolutely know what you are doing, never speak cutting and destructive words. Just because they come up in your mind, it does not mean that they have to come out of your mouth. Winston Churchill said, "By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach." Father, I thank You for giving me the revelation of the importance of my words. My tongue can either release blessing or cursing, life or death, medicine or poison. I declare, by faith, that I use my tongue to build up others and to tear down satan and his kingdom. When I speak to others I release words that act as a healing balm. My speech is season with Your grace and I become a channel through which You release Your blessing upon others. However, when speaking against the kingdom of darkness, I use my tongue as a sword. I release the Word of God and it becomes the Sword of the Spirit. Your Words, spoken through my mouth, releases Your power, authority, dominion and might in the earth! You and me Father, together we make a difference today and every day! In Jesus' name. Amen!
(Prov 12:18 TNIV) The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
This morning we continue our series, In this verse Solomon goes back to the power of words. You just can't get around it. One of the most powerful weapons the Lord gave us is our tongue. If you look at the "Armor of God" in Ephesians chapter six you will see that Paul describes six pieces in the armor. They are: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Five of the six pieces are completely defensive in nature. The only offensive weapon we have against the kingdom of darkness is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
The question then is: how do we yield this sword? How do we engage it against the enemy? The answer is simple: with our tongue, by speaking God's Word. That's why Solomon later said, "Your tongue has the power of life and death" (Prov 18:21). The same tongue that can be used to tear down can be used to build up. The same power that can be released against the enemy and his kingdom can also be released against another human and the results can be disastrous. In Iraq and during deployments service members carry their weapons (with ammunition) wherever they go. Safety becomes a major concern for leaders, because a mistake made by an undisciplined soldier, with access to live ammunition, can cost lives. That's what Solomon is getting to here. He says, "The words of the reckless pierce like swords."
Those that don't understand the power of the tongue speak reckless words and it is as if they are yielding a reckless sword. All because they don't understand how powerful their words are. Pastor and author Dr. Myles Munroe said, "When purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable." If you don't understand the purpose of the tongue - how God intended it to be used to build up others and tear down the kingdom of darkness - you inevitably abuse others with it.
Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs. Misplaced words can have devastating affects. Later in Proverbs Solomon said, "Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim" (15:4). Don't be the one who uses his tongue to wound and maim. Use your tongue for God's glory. Use it as a vehicle of positive change. Use it as an instrument of good. Heed the words of Paul when he said, "Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out" (Colossians 4:6).So what does this mean? It means that your tongue can be used to speak life or death, health or healing, it can provide medicine or poison, it can help or it can hurt, so be very careful how you use it. Be slow to speak (James 1:19), consider your words carefully. Ann Landers said, "The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven't thought of yet."
Think your words through. Speak them with purpose, so that you can release the power and potential the Father put in your tongue. And unless you absolutely know what you are doing, never speak cutting and destructive words. Just because they come up in your mind, it does not mean that they have to come out of your mouth. Winston Churchill said, "By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach." Father, I thank You for giving me the revelation of the importance of my words. My tongue can either release blessing or cursing, life or death, medicine or poison. I declare, by faith, that I use my tongue to build up others and to tear down satan and his kingdom. When I speak to others I release words that act as a healing balm. My speech is season with Your grace and I become a channel through which You release Your blessing upon others. However, when speaking against the kingdom of darkness, I use my tongue as a sword. I release the Word of God and it becomes the Sword of the Spirit. Your Words, spoken through my mouth, releases Your power, authority, dominion and might in the earth! You and me Father, together we make a difference today and every day! In Jesus' name. Amen!
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