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http://www.ls-coc.org/sermonsSunday Morning Sermon
Preached by John Gaines at Leonard Street Church of Christ
November 16, 2003
Sticks and Stones
Ephesians 4:29
1. Words are powerful.
a. They can hurt. We've all heard the old saying that "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." We all know that's wrong. Words can be very hurtful.
b. They can also help. Words have a tremendous ability to cheer up, motivate, and encourage.
(1) Coaches make "Win one for the Gipper" speeches to motivate their players.
(2) A note or card from a friend received at a timely moment can make a tremendous difference in one's spirit.
2. This is a biblical subject. Let us use Ephesians 4:29 as a text for this morning's study. Let us read that together: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. [(NKJV)]
I. SPEECH NEEDS TO BE CAREFULLY CONTROLLED.
A. Controlling the tongue is a difficult assignment [James 3:2-8 (NKJV) For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ]
B. Speech can be kept under control [James 1:26 (NKJV) If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.] The tongue might not be capable of being tamed, but it can be bridled.
C. We are accountable for the words we use [Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV) "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."]
D. We are also accountable for the words we fail to speak when they need to be spoken.
1. Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us that there is a time to keep silence and a time to speak.
2. Sometimes doing good requires us to speak up -- to take a stand [James 4:17 (NKJV) Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.]
II. CORRUPT SPEECH IS FORBIDDEN IN THE MOUTH OF A CHILD OF GOD.
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth. . . ." [Ephesians 4:29].A. Words reflect character.
1. Ephesians 5:4 (NKJV) neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
2. You reveal the kind of person you are by the words you use. Filthy talk is a reliable indicator of a filthy mind. It is impossible to keep yourself pure [1 Timothy 5:22] when you allow vulgar and dirty thoughts to occupy your mind and express themselves in your words. This behavior is totally inconsistent with the ideal of living as a child of God.
B. Corrupt words are hurtful to the speaker and to the hearers.
1. Profanity and vulgar talk offends righteous-minded people who hear it, but the greatest damage is to the speaker.
a. Vulgar talk is degrading. It coarsens your nature and corrupts your character. It's been said that words are a window to the soul. As a person becomes comfortable using filthy language, the conscience is hardened and his acceptance of sinful behavior is increased. [Psalms 1:1-2 (NKJV) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.]
b. Such talk jeopardizes the soul of the one using it. Go back to the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:7 (NKJV) says, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." We're not under the Ten Commandments today, but we are still obligated to honor God with everything we do [1 Corinthians 10:31]. As we've already noted from Matthew 12, we'll have to give an answer to God for the words we use.
2. Other kinds of corrupt speech can be even more hurtful to hearers.
a. Sometimes words are used as weapons . . . verbal daggers designed to inflict pain on others. Words of rebuke and criticism sometimes need to be spoken for the benefit of the hearer. When they are spoken in love and genuine regard for the other person's well-being, they can be helpful. But critical words are most often designed to hurt others instead of help them.
b. The most hurtful words of all are those spoken from the shadows . . . where the speaker tries to remain anonymous and speaks rumors and gossip behind the backs of those they are hurting. The Bible uses the term "backbiters" to describe such people [Romans 1:30; 2 Corinthians 12:20]. What is the difference in intent between waiting in the dark to stab a victim with a dagger and assassinating someone's character by telling rumors and tales about them in secret?
c. Please understand that gossip and slanderous speech is just as much "corrupt communication" as profanity and vulgar talk. Even when it is the truth, gossip is sinful speech. We're accountable to God for the words we speak!
III. CHRISTIAN SPEECH SHOULD BE USED AS A TOOL FOR GOOD.
A. Instead of corrupt speech, our talk should be "good" [Ephesians 4:29]
B. Words are tools of edification -- to build others up. Paul says we "may impart grace to the hearers."
1. We teach with words.
a. Teach the gospel [Acts 11:14 (NKJV) 'who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'] Obviously, teaching someone how to be saved is one of the best of all possible uses of the tongue.
b. Teach life wisdom [Titus 2:4-5 (NKJV) that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.] Older women are commissioned to use words to teach younger women these valuable life lessons.
2. We correct and discipline with words.
a. Parents teach their children with words as well as by example [Ephesians 6:4 (NKJV) And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.] Cf. Deuteronomy 6:7 (NKJV) "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
b. Christian teachers and preachers must help people see their errors [2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ] Elders must be able to use sound doctrine to exhort and convict those who contradict [Titus 1:9].
3. We encourage and edify with words.
a. Jude 1:20 (NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, We need to help one another in the goal of being built up in our "most holy faith."
b. We seek to restore the erring and help them become stronger in the Lord [Galatians 6:1-2 (NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.] That's a good use of the tongue!
c. There are many ways we can use words to encourage one another.
(1) Giving praise and honor when it's due [Romans 13:7].
(2) Praying for one another and letting people know they're being prayed for.
(3) Cards and notes of encouragement. Sometimes they don't mean much. Sometimes, they are life-savers.
CONCLUSION
1. Let us be grateful for the gift of speech. It is a wonderful blessing to be able to open our mouths and express the thoughts of our hearts to others.
2. However, like most other good things in life, words are a two-edged sword. They can be used in harmful ways.
3. Ephesians 4:29 commands us to use speech for good instead of evil. Pay attention to that command and apply it every day -- every time you open your mouth to speak. When that happens, God is glorified and others are helped by the wonderful gift of communication God has given to you.
4. Invitation