1. THEPOWER
OF SPEECH

2. Controlling our speech is one of the hardest things to
do: like taming a wild animal.
How can a believer avoid angry outbursts that could
lead to embarrassment, conflict and regret?

3. King David – a man after God’s own
heart prayed:

4. He wrote “Your reward depends on what
you say and what you do; you will get what
you desire” (Pro 12:14) GNB.
And king Solomon declared in Prov
16:24) that
“Death & life are in the power of our
words”.
What kind of words lead to death?

5. Lies
We lie so we won’t hurt
someone’s feelings, to
protect ourselves, to get
ahead or to make others like
us better.

6. Gossip
Proverbs 26:20
Without wood a fire goes out;
without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
The heart of
gossip is to
speak ill of
someone behind
his or her back.
And the motive
is always
diminish them in
the eyes.

7. Jesus Christ cautions in Matt 12:36
“every idle word that men speak they shall give
account thereof in the day of Judgement.
He further warned, “by your words you will be
justified, and by your words you will be
condemned.”
1 Cor 15:22” Evil communication corrupt good manners”.
Apostle James says, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of evil
among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person,
set the whole course of his life on fire and is itself on fire of
hell (James 3:6).

8. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against
one another
Numbers 12: 1-10 is an example of
the sin of murmuring/complaining.
In questioning Moses’ authority
& God’s will, Miriam & Aaron
were acting like the people of
Israel – full of complaining, full
of murmuring and full of
unbelief.

9. The following verses read, And the anger of the LORD was kindled
against them and He (GOD) departed – the Cloud (the glory,
presence of God) departed. Miriam was struck with leprosy and the
congregation stood still (stagnant) for 7 days whilst she was
isolated from the camp as an unclean person. Aaron pleaded with
Moses and interceded for Miriam and God healed and restored her.
God is a forgiving and restoring God.
1 Chron 16:22
“Touch not My anointed
and do My servant no
harm”

10. Ephesians 5:27
He will present her to himself as a radiant
church, without stain or wrinkle or any other
blemish, but holy and blameless.

11. Eph 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but
only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve
the Holy Spirit of God with whom you are sealed for the day of
redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling
and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and
compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in
Christ God forgave you”.
“Unwholesome talk” – the Greek word for
“unwholesome” means “rotten, useless or unprofitable”.
Unwholesome talk or rotten speech will not nourish
anyone but will make others and you sick

12. James 1:19 “…. my beloved brethren, let every
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath”
We will have victory over unwholesome
talk when we learn to speak the language
of the new creation everyday with Jesus.
Begin to speak the Word of God.
Rom 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing,
hearing the Word of God”.

13. Phil 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me the
strength.” God’s grace will sustain us no matter where
He leads us – even when we lack material things.
2 Tim 1:7
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and
love and self-control” God gives us a calm and well-
balanced mind, discipline and self-control
Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper and
every tongue which rises against you in judgment, you
shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of
the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the
LORD.

14. Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will
uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Eph 3:20
“… Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that
works in us”

15. 1. Meditate on God’s word and learn to
confess His promises over your family,
your job, your studies, your health, and
over every relationship or circumstance in
your life.
2. Never be negative.
James 3:2
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.

16. Like David, let us make a commitment as he did in
Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of Your
righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
Col 4:6 instructs us “Let your speech always be
with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may
know how you ought to answer each one.”
Salt is a good metaphor for Christian
conversation and behaviour. As salt adds good
taste to food, what believers say have should
have a positive impact on others.