Matthew 12:33-37
Introduction:
1. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but my words can utterly destroy me.
2. Though contradicting the old nursery rhyme, this captures the biblical reality well.
3. Today we will see that we cannot be His people if we do not control our speech.
Discussion:
I. Grasping the Danger of Corrupt Speech
A. It is tempting to downplay certain poor speech.
B. The words of Jesus (Matthew 12:33-37) and James (James 3:1-12) should jar us out of such folly.
C. Look what uncontrolled speech represents:
1. The evils of our hearts (Matthew 12:33-35).
2. Which is unbecoming of the new life in Christ (Ephesians 4:25, 29).
3. A force as destructive as fire (James 3:6).
4. Defilement of our bodies (James 3:6).
5. A restless evil (James 3:8).
6. A deadly poison (James 3:8).
7. Contradicting our profession (James 3:9-12).
D. Speech of this sort invites God’s wrath upon us (Matthew 12:36-37; James 3:1; cf. Proverbs 6:16-19).
II. Identifying Corrupt Speech
A. Such a weighty matter demands we root out every possible form of corrupt speech.
B. Ephesians 4:29 is inciteful; the word translated “corrupt” means rotten, decayed, harmful, etc., the antithesis of that which builds up (1 Corinthians 12)
C. There are numerous types of harmful speech:
1. False: Proverbs 6:16-19; Matthew 7:15-20; John 8:31-32; Acts 20:28-32; Ephesians 4:25; Romans 16;17-18; Galatians 1:6-10; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:1-4; 1 John 4:1ff; Revelation 21:8.
2. Irreverent to God: Exodus 20:7; Mathew 6:9.
3. Foolish: Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 4:3-6.
4. Coarse, crude humor: Ephesians 5:4.
5. Untempered, hateful, harshly judgmental: Matthew 5:43-48; 7:1ff; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:3-6; James 3:9; 1 Peter 3:15.
6. Gossip: Proverbs 11:13; 16:28; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20; 1 Timothy 5:11-13.
7. Slander: Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 19:16-20; Psalms 101:5; Ephesians 4:31; James 4:11.
8. Grumbling: Numbers 14:26-38; Philippians 2:14.
9. Boasting: Jeremiah 9:23; 1 Corinthians 4:7; James 4:16.
III. Overcoming Corrupt Speech
A. First, we must not downplay the danger.
B. Second, we must resolve to let no corrupt word come from our mouths (Ephesians 4:29).
C. Third, know God will supply the wisdom and strength we need to do so (1 Corinthians 10:13).
D. Finally, we must T.H.I.N.K before we speak, asking is it:
1. T rue? Proverbs 6:17; John 8:44; Ephesians 4:25.
2. H elpful? Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:18.
3. I nspiring? Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24.
4. N ecessary? Proverbs 25:11; Matthew 12:36.
5. K ind? Proverbs 16:24; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:3-6.
Conclusion:
1. For better or worse, our mouths are the most powerful tool at our disposal.
2. Let us calculate every word we speak carefully, giving the utmost care that it never dim our lights (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
3. On the day of judgment, we will answer for every careless (lit. lazy) word we speak (Matthew 12:36-37).
Further Food for Thought
1. Have you ever been the victim of corrupting speech?
2. How did you work through that?
3. Does it still impact you today?
4. Have you ever been on the giving end of corrupting speech?
5. How did you work through that, and how do you prevent such in the future?