1 “By Your Words” Matthew 12:37. 2 Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the

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““By Your Words”By Your Words”

Matthew 12:37Matthew 12:37

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Matthew 12:34-37Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, O generation of vipers, how can ye,

being evil, speak good things? for out being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.thy words thou shalt be condemned.

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Psalms 141:3Psalms 141:3

Set a watch, O LORD, before my Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips”mouth; keep the door of my lips” Must watch our mouth!Must watch our mouth! Must control our lips!Must control our lips!

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Proverbs 21:23Proverbs 21:23

““Whoso keepeth his mouth and Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles”troubles” Must consider the consequences of what Must consider the consequences of what

we say!we say! If we don’t, trouble will come!If we don’t, trouble will come! ““It seems that some people think by the It seems that some people think by the

inch and talk by the yard.”inch and talk by the yard.”

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IntroductionIntroduction

Christ warns us about a heart Christ warns us about a heart problem!problem! Our speech!Our speech!

He mentions two types of hearts:He mentions two types of hearts: Evil!Evil! Good!Good! And what is stored in each!And what is stored in each!

In our text – two types of speech!In our text – two types of speech! Words that will justify!Words that will justify! Words that will condemn!Words that will condemn!

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Words That Justify!Words That Justify!

Justifiable speech comes from a Justifiable speech comes from a pure heart!pure heart! Lk. 6:45Lk. 6:45 Phil. 4:8Phil. 4:8

Must think on pure things in order to speak Must think on pure things in order to speak them!them!

Prov. 15:4Prov. 15:4 Eph. 4:29Eph. 4:29

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Speaking words that edify!Speaking words that edify! Namely, speak the truth in love!Namely, speak the truth in love!

Eph. 4:11-15Eph. 4:11-15 Edify = Build up, encourage:Edify = Build up, encourage:

1 Thess. 5:111 Thess. 5:11 Do all things unto edification!Do all things unto edification!

1 Cor. 14:261 Cor. 14:26 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:102 Cor. 10:8; 13:10 Paul’s purpose was to edify-not destroy!Paul’s purpose was to edify-not destroy!

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Speaking words that impart grace!Speaking words that impart grace! Col. 3:16Col. 3:16

Songs must be sung with Songs must be sung with gracegrace in our hearts: in our hearts: Must praise God!Must praise God! Must teach and admonish our brethren!Must teach and admonish our brethren! By using the By using the heartheart and the and the tonguetongue!!

Not mechanical instruments of music!Not mechanical instruments of music!

Col. 4:6Col. 4:6 Speech must be Speech must be “seasoned with salt”“seasoned with salt”

Well flavored – not intentionally offensive!Well flavored – not intentionally offensive! Prov. 15:1, 23 Prov. 15:1, 23 Seasoned communication will ease a situation – not Seasoned communication will ease a situation – not

inflame it!inflame it!

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Words that are “Words that are “fitly spoken.”fitly spoken.” Prov. 25:11Prov. 25:11 Such speech is valuable:Such speech is valuable:

Compared with precious metals:Compared with precious metals: ““Apples of gold in pictures of silver”Apples of gold in pictures of silver”

God’s word is more precious that gold & silver!God’s word is more precious that gold & silver! Ps. 19:7-10; 119:72, 127; Pr. 8:10-11, 18-19; 16:16Ps. 19:7-10; 119:72, 127; Pr. 8:10-11, 18-19; 16:16

Carefully worded speech is precious!Carefully worded speech is precious! Of higher value than gold and silver!Of higher value than gold and silver!

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Giving an intelligent answer!Giving an intelligent answer! This demands forethought!This demands forethought!

Many put their mouth in gear before their mind is Many put their mouth in gear before their mind is engaged!engaged!

1 Pet. 3:151 Pet. 3:15 Prov. 15:28Prov. 15:28

““A tongue three inches long can ruin a man six A tongue three inches long can ruin a man six feet tall.”feet tall.”

““It is much better to dig for the facts than to It is much better to dig for the facts than to jump to conclusions.”jump to conclusions.”

““Some get their exercise by jumping to conclusions.”Some get their exercise by jumping to conclusions.”

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Words of thankfulness!Words of thankfulness! Instead of corrupt communication!Instead of corrupt communication! Col. 2:6-7Col. 2:6-7 Col. 3:15, 17Col. 3:15, 17 Col. 4:2Col. 4:2

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Speech that comes from a pure Speech that comes from a pure heart!heart!

Words that edify!Words that edify! Words that impart grace!Words that impart grace! Words that are “Words that are “fitly spoken.”fitly spoken.” Giving an intelligent answer!Giving an intelligent answer! Words of thankfulness!Words of thankfulness!

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Matthew 12:34-37Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, O generation of vipers, how can ye,

being evil, speak good things? for out being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. forth evil things. But I say unto you, But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.thy words thou shalt be condemned.

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Words That Will Condemn!Words That Will Condemn!

Using God’s name in vain!Using God’s name in vain! Ex. 20:7Ex. 20:7

A part of the Old Law but a principle that still applies:A part of the Old Law but a principle that still applies: Matt. 6:9 - Matt. 6:9 - “Hollowed be thy name”“Hollowed be thy name” Hollowed = “to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or

consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.””

Strong’s Dictionary

Must hold highly God’s name and the name of Christ!

Phil. 2:9-11 “Jesus Christ is Lord, not a swear word.”

Some only refer to Jesus when swearing!

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Murmuring and Complaining!Murmuring and Complaining! Described as evil!Described as evil!

Phil. 2:14-15 1 Cor. 10:10

Shows lack of contentment & gratitude!Shows lack of contentment & gratitude! Heb. 13:5Heb. 13:5 Phil. 4:11-12Phil. 4:11-12 1 Tim. 6:6, 81 Tim. 6:6, 8

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Profanity!Profanity! Does not fit with those raised with Christ!Does not fit with those raised with Christ!

Col. 3:8Col. 3:8 Eph. 5:3-4Eph. 5:3-4

Includes:Includes: Foolish talking:Foolish talking:

Saying dumb things!Saying dumb things! Course jesting:Course jesting:

Inappropriate humorInappropriate humor Jokes that make light of sinJokes that make light of sin Debasing godlinessDebasing godliness

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Words That Will Condemn!Words That Will Condemn! Verbosity!Verbosity!

Just talking too much!Just talking too much! Must make every word count!Must make every word count! Matt. 6:7Matt. 6:7 Prov. 10:19; 13:3Prov. 10:19; 13:3 Eccl. 5:3Eccl. 5:3 Jas. 1:26Jas. 1:26

Practice restraint in the number of words we Practice restraint in the number of words we use!use!

““It is more important to weigh words than to count It is more important to weigh words than to count them.”them.”

““I have never been hurt by anything I didn’t sayI have never been hurt by anything I didn’t say” ” Calvin “Silent Cal” CoolidgeCalvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge

““The best way to keep people from jumping down The best way to keep people from jumping down your throat is to keep your mouth shut.”your throat is to keep your mouth shut.”

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Hasty Speech!Hasty Speech! Communication that lacks forethought is Communication that lacks forethought is

often wicked!often wicked! “…“…let every man be swift to hear, slow to let every man be swift to hear, slow to

speak, slow to wrath.”speak, slow to wrath.” - Jas. 1:19 - Jas. 1:19 Many are often swift to speak and slow to Many are often swift to speak and slow to

hear!hear! Desire to understand then be understood!Desire to understand then be understood!

Many don’t have anything to say; they just Many don’t have anything to say; they just have to say something!have to say something!

Prov. 17:27; 29:20Prov. 17:27; 29:20

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Flattery!Flattery! Is successive or insincere praise!Is successive or insincere praise! Also flirting can qualifyAlso flirting can qualify

Shallow comments often uttered with flirting Shallow comments often uttered with flirting is wrong:is wrong:

Psa. 12:1-4Psa. 12:1-4 Rom. 16:18Rom. 16:18

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Rash Swearing!Rash Swearing! Condemned specifically by scripture!Condemned specifically by scripture!

Matt. 5:33-37Matt. 5:33-37 Jas. 5:12Jas. 5:12

Be true to your word!Be true to your word! Don’t make a promise with no intention of Don’t make a promise with no intention of

fulfilling it!fulfilling it!

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Words That Will Condemn!Words That Will Condemn! Euphemisms!Euphemisms!

An inoffensive expression substituted for one that is offensive!

Example: Sanitation engineer vs. garbage man! Some words should not be said by Christians! Examples:

“Darn” = Damn “Gosh” = God “Gee” = Jesus “Golly” = God “Heck” = Hell

Such “words” have no communicative value! Many use these “words” loosely, not knowing

the meaning: Must mean what we say and speak purposefully!

Jas. 5:12; Eph. 4:29

Look up these “words” in a good dictionary and see what you find!

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Lies!Lies! Prov. 12:22Prov. 12:22 Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9-10Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9-10 Rev. 21:8Rev. 21:8 Includes teaching false doctrine!Includes teaching false doctrine!

1 Tim. 4:1-71 Tim. 4:1-7

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Gossip!Gossip! Rom. 1:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:20Rom. 1:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:20

“Whisperings” “by implication, a slander” – Strong If it is worth saying, why whisper it?

Prov. 16:28 God hates gossip!

Prov. 11:13; 18:8; 20:19 Prov. 6:19

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Words That Will Condemn!Words That Will Condemn! Using God’s name in vain!Using God’s name in vain! Murmuring and Complaining!Murmuring and Complaining! Profanity!Profanity! Verbosity!Verbosity! Hasty Speech!Hasty Speech! Flattery!Flattery! Rash Swearing!Rash Swearing! Euphemisms!Euphemisms! Lies!Lies! Gossip!Gossip!

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ConclusionConclusion ““Let the words of my mouth, and the Let the words of my mouth, and the

meditation of my heart, be acceptable meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer”my redeemer” (Psa. 19:14). (Psa. 19:14).

““But those things which proceed out of But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a with unwashen hands defileth not a man”man” (Matt. 15:18-20). (Matt. 15:18-20).

Documents

1 “By Your Words” Matthew 12:37. 2 Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the