Church notes - PM Churcn 12th November 2017
Toxic Words
James 3:3 - 12
'Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me'
- Not true
We've all had cruel words used against us (and vice-versa)
Proverbs 12:21
What will you use your words for?
James 3:3 - 5
Three different pictures of what words are like.
Horse's bit, ship's rudder, small spark.
A small thing can cause great destruction
Words are dangerous
vs 6 - 8
Small words can impact others lives (even Eternally)
We struggle to stop saying toxic words.
Spider-man - "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility"
As Christians we have the responsibility to use the right words.
vs 9 - 12
We shouldn't speak toxic words - the other people were also created by God. Praise and poison shouldn't be spoken from the same mouth. Our words become corrupted. God is saying that the two cannot go together.
Like a toothbrush used for cleaning a toilet - that is how gross the toxic words are. They are from our old, siinful self.
This is one of our biggest struggles
We need to keep asking the Spirit to help us.
- 'What is the point of the words I am about to speak? Do they show love for God, or the other person?'
We shouldn't be silent. We are to use words to show God's love.
Proverbs 12:18
Proverbs 12:25
Proverbs 16:24
Isaiah 63:7
Colossians 4:6
Ephesians 4:29
1 Peter 3:15, 16