Introduction

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. It’s a joy to be with you today, standing shoulder to shoulder in the house of our Lord. We are here, not because we are perfect, but because we are loved by a perfect God. We are here, not because we’ve mastered every word and action, but because we are held by a Master who guides our words and deeds.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Psalms, specifically Psalm 39:1, where David, a man after God’s own heart, declares, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked." What a potent reminder, isn't it? That our words hold power, that our tongue can be a tool for good or a weapon for ill.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. God is in heaven, and you are on earth; therefore, let your words be few." This is a call to mindfulness, a call to intentionality, a call to remember that every word we utter should be a reflection of the God we serve.

We are here to consider three significant points: Harnessing the Power of the Tongue, Healing or Hurting - The Choice of the Tongue, and Holding the Reins - Bridling the Tongue. These points will guide us in understanding and applying the wisdom of Psalm 39:1 in our daily lives.

Let us bow our heads in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Word. We are humbled by the wisdom and guidance it provides. As we reflect on Psalm 39:1 today, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to the lessons it holds. Help us to understand the power of our words, and guide us to use them in ways that honor You and bring healing, not hurt, to those around us. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Harnessing the Power of the Tongue

In the world we live in, words are everywhere. They're in the books we read, the songs we sing, the conversations we have. They're even in our thoughts. Words are powerful. They can build up or tear down, heal or hurt, inspire or discourage. And it's our responsibility, as followers of Christ, to use our words wisely.

Think about it. When God created the universe, He did it with words. He said, "Let there be light," and there was light. He spoke, and the world came into existence. Words, then, are not just sounds or letters. They're a creative force. They have the power to shape reality. And we, made in the image of God, have been given a similar power. Our words, too, can shape the world around us.

This is not always easy. Our tongues, as James tells us, are a restless evil, full of deadly poison. They're hard to control. They're quick to speak, slow to listen. They're prone to gossip, slander, and lies. They're often used to hurt, not heal. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. With God's help, we can learn to harness the power of the tongue.

The first step is to recognize the power of our words. We must understand that our words have consequences. They can bring life or death, blessing or curse. They can encourage or discourage, uplift or tear down. They can bring joy or sorrow, peace or strife. They can build relationships or destroy them. They can draw people closer to God or push them away. Recognizing this power is the first step to harnessing it.

The second step is to take responsibility for our words. We must realize that we are accountable for every word we speak. Jesus tells us that we will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word we have spoken. This is a sobering thought. It reminds us that our words matter, that they have a lasting impact. Taking responsibility for our words means thinking before we speak, considering the impact of our words on others, and striving to use our words for good.

The third step is to seek God's help. We can't control our tongues on our own. We need God's help. We need His wisdom, His strength, His grace. We need His Spirit to guide us, to convict us when we're wrong, to encourage us when we're right. We need His Word to teach us, to correct us, to train us in righteousness. Seeking God's help means praying for His guidance, studying His Word, and relying on His Spirit.

The fourth step is to practice. Like any skill, controlling our tongues takes practice. It's not something we can master overnight. It's a lifelong journey. But with each step, with each word, we can get better. We can learn to speak words of life, not death; words of blessing, not curse; words of love, not hate. We can learn to use our words to build up, not tear down; to encourage, not discourage; to heal, not hurt. We can learn to use our words to glorify God, not ourselves.

Healing or Hurting - The Choice of the Tongue

In the realm of our speech, we find a choice ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO