The Power of Words - Amy Lawrence

The Power of Words (Lk. 22:24-34)

1. Before and After

-Talking Before Thinking

-Words of Wisdom

2. Wrong and Right

- 3 wrong: idle, irate, ignorant

- 3 right: Wise Words, Softly Spoken, For Edification

3. Break or Build

-The Power of Words

-Wreckingball Words

-Structural Speaking

Before and After.

Words. Such small things and yet so huge. Let’s look at Luke 22:24-34 and look at some words Peter spoke.

Before: Peter often took it upon himself to be the spokesperson for the apostles, Mt. 15:15;16:13-17. He was impulsive, many times speaking out but not stopping to think of what he was saying or doing, Mt. 14:22-33, Mk. 14:70-71. He declared to Jesus that he was willing to die with Him, Lk. 22:33, but when the opportunity came to do just that, he cowered and denied that he even knew Jesus, Luke 22:54-62.

After: Peter wept bitterly, his conscience confirming his guilt, verse 62. John records the conversation between Peter and Jesus after Jesus’ resurrection, Jn. 21:15-17, and notice how careful Peter is with his words. He is reluctant to use the word “agape” (love) as Jesus did, but instead uses the word “phileo” (love) each time he responds. It’s ok sometimes to stop and think, be careful, or not speak at all. Jesus’ silence at His crucifixion was prophesied and fulfilled, Is. 53, Jn. 19:8-10.

Prov. 10:19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

Wrong and Right

3 Wrong:

- idle words - Mt. 12:36 - What is an idle word? Good old Webster defines idle as:

1.) to spend time doing nothing; being idle

2.) without purpose or effect; pointless

Matthew tells us that we will be judged by every word we speak, even the ones we say out of habit or without thought.

- irate words - James 1:19-20 - In anger, we lose ourselves. What happens so often when we speak from anger? Prov. 14:29 We sing the song, “Angry words, Oh let them never from the tongue unbridled slip.” But is it wrong to be angry? Jn. 2:13-17, Is. 13:9 Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Be angry, and do not sin,” Eph. 4:26.

- ignorant words - Job 38:2 - James wrote, “let not many of you be teachers, knowing that we shall receive stricter judgement,” James 3:1. If we don’t know, we shouldn’t say. Can you think of some ways we often speak of what we do not know? 1 Tim. 5:13 Gossip/hearsay...? Prov. 18:7

3 Right:

- Wise Words - Ecc. 9:17 - We all want to be able to say just the right thing at just the right moment, and sometimes we succeed. “A word filly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Prov. 25:11. But there are some things we must have before wise words can be spoken: Thought. Experience. Knowledge.

- Softly Spoken - Col. 4:6 - Are our words always easy to swallow? “Pleasant words area as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Prov. 16:24.

- For Edification - Eph. 4:29 - Edify means to build up. If I were to build a house, and I used rotting wood and crumbling concrete, how strong would my house be? Would you live in that house? Prov. 24:3-4. There is always someone that hears what you say. Our words can be rotting wood and crumbling concrete, or they can be strong steel and stone. Prov. 31:1 - As a mother, I am constantly reminded that my daughter learns from my words. The adult that she becomes will in part be a product of my words and my actions. How important is it that the words I teach her are edifying words? What kind of building do I want her to be?

Break or Build

-The Power of Words - Prov. 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” James tells us that no man can tame the tongue, James 3:8, that it is an unruly evil. If it is impossible to tame the tongue, then should we try at all to do so? Yes. Words can burn down forests…but they can also plant gardens. Of course, practice makes perfect. Which are you practicing?

-Wrecking-ball Words - Col. 2:4, 8, 1 Jn. 2:26 - There are times when we allow the pretty words to poison us. Several times, the Bible tells us to keep our eyes open and look out for those that would pervert the gospel and try and lead our souls away from the truth with “enticing words”, Rom. 16:18.

The most believable words are the ones we tell ourselves. What if Peter had given up? What would have happened if Peter never believed he could come back from what he had done, like Judas? Mt. 27:3-5 Do we ever tell ourselves we are not good enough for God? We shouldn’t listen to that kind of talk, even from our own mouths.

-Structural Speaking - Acts 2:14 - Jesus knew what Peter would do before he did it. He told Peter, “when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Lk. 22:32. Not only can we learn from our mistakes, but others can learn from our mistakes. Trials and temptations make us stronger, James 1:2-4. Peter used his words to preach the very first church sermon.  In 1 Pet. 5:1, we learn that Peter had become an elder of the church also. Peter didn’t take the path Judas took.

God chose to give us instructions for this life through words. From the Beginning in Genesis to the End in Revelation, God’s will has been made known to us. Will you follow the instructions?