WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.060 15 days into a brand new year. 00:00:03.220 --> 00:00:06.799 How are you coming with your New Year's resolutions? 00:00:08.580 --> 00:00:11.480 You know, I know a lot of people don't make them. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:16.960 I rarely ever hear anyone talk about their New Year's resolutions, 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:21.100 but evidently many people do make them. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:27.460 The Nielsen organization, the one that measures TV viewing, 00:00:27.460 --> 00:00:30.019 they did a survey a couple of years ago, 00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:32.640 and they came out, as you see on the screen, 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:37.480 with a top 10 New Year's resolution list in 2015. 00:00:38.660 --> 00:00:44.359 Only 16% of the people, if you look down, do not make resolutions. 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:50.280 As you look at that list, what's missing? 00:00:51.540 --> 00:00:55.700 Two things are not on that list that really do surprise me. 00:00:55.700 --> 00:00:59.240 First, there's no mention of God on there. 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:05.020 I mean, there's no mention of God, of spirituality, of religion. 00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:09.379 And that was a poll taken among Americans, 00:01:10.379 --> 00:01:14.200 where we profess to believe in God. 00:01:15.400 --> 00:01:17.240 Many still profess to be Christians. 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:21.060 But out of the top 10 New Year's resolutions, 00:01:21.579 --> 00:01:26.000 drawing closer to God was not on there. 00:01:27.619 --> 00:01:30.699 Learning more about how to please Him, 00:01:31.199 --> 00:01:33.599 how to live like a Christian was not on there. 00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:37.739 The other thing that was not on the list that surprises me, 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:41.399 there was nothing there about controlling your tongue. 00:01:41.400 --> 00:01:45.460 The other thing on there about watching your words. 00:01:47.440 --> 00:01:51.420 Don't you get into more trouble with your words than anything else? 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:53.600 I mean, I do. 00:01:55.180 --> 00:01:56.400 And I know you do, too. 00:01:56.600 --> 00:01:58.040 If you don't think you do, 00:01:58.800 --> 00:02:00.540 you're in bigger trouble than you think. 00:02:00.540 --> 00:02:03.920 Because people who know you would say, 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:12.879 yes, he, she does say things they ought not say sometimes. 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:16.420 Young people, you think about it. 00:02:17.219 --> 00:02:20.080 How many times have you gotten in trouble at home or school 00:02:20.080 --> 00:02:25.280 because of something you said or the way you said it? 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:29.560 Wouldn't that be the reason why you get in trouble more times than not? 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:31.939 It always was when I was growing up. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:33.280 Adults. 00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:38.520 How many conflicts have you had recently over something you said 00:02:38.520 --> 00:02:40.560 or was said to you, 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:45.620 either in person, in an email, or on social media? 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:49.960 You know, if you keep up with the news, 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:51.480 just about every week, 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:56.759 you read where an athlete, entertainer, business person, or politician 00:02:56.759 --> 00:03:05.219 has gotten into trouble over the words they spoke, tweeted, or posted. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:08.379 It's just happening all the time. 00:03:09.519 --> 00:03:13.259 We know words have power. 00:03:14.539 --> 00:03:16.599 Words have tremendous power. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:18.879 They can help. 00:03:18.879 --> 00:03:20.759 They can hurt. 00:03:22.340 --> 00:03:27.900 That's why the book of Proverbs has so much to say about our speech. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:31.919 Chuck Swindoll does a good job of pointing out 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:36.900 the wealth of teaching about our words in Proverbs. 00:03:37.039 --> 00:03:37.479 Look at it. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:38.560 He says, 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:41.319 Solomon had a lot to say about what we say. 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:42.740 In fact, 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:46.740 the terms tongue, mouth, lips, and words 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:51.159 occur almost 150 times in Proverbs. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:53.360 On average, 00:03:53.819 --> 00:03:55.620 a reference to speech 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:59.120 appears five times in each of the 31 chapters. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:03.039 Seems to me any subject mentioned that often 00:04:03.039 --> 00:04:05.179 calls for extended attention 00:04:05.179 --> 00:04:07.900 in our examination of the book of Proverbs. 00:04:08.919 --> 00:04:10.099 He's right, isn't he? 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:13.479 If God filled this great book of wisdom 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:15.219 with so much 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:18.000 about our speech, 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:22.019 we need to pay close attention. 00:04:22.560 --> 00:04:24.000 We need to look closely 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:25.339 at what he says. 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:27.180 So I would like to do this 00:04:27.180 --> 00:04:28.839 for the next two or three weeks. 00:04:29.439 --> 00:04:30.980 And I want to begin today by looking at 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:33.700 why we need to be serious about our speech. 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:35.400 And the first thing I want you to notice 00:04:35.400 --> 00:04:37.720 is the power of our words 00:04:37.720 --> 00:04:40.540 as seen in Proverbs chapter 18. 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:43.319 Our words are powerful. 00:04:43.580 --> 00:04:44.240 We know that. 00:04:45.060 --> 00:04:47.140 But look at how they're described here 00:04:47.140 --> 00:04:48.780 in this one verse, 00:04:49.080 --> 00:04:50.360 Proverbs 18, 21. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:53.040 Death and life 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:55.759 are in the power of the tongue. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:58.220 And those who love it 00:04:58.220 --> 00:05:01.140 will eat its fruits. 00:05:02.100 --> 00:05:03.780 The first part of this verse 00:05:03.780 --> 00:05:05.360 is simple to understand. 00:05:06.260 --> 00:05:07.000 The tongue, 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:10.280 which is a reference to our speech, 00:05:10.880 --> 00:05:12.220 our words. 00:05:13.160 --> 00:05:15.780 It has the power of life and death, 00:05:16.640 --> 00:05:17.040 literally 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:19.820 and figuratively. 00:05:20.900 --> 00:05:23.280 The second part is not as straightforward, 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:24.760 but we can figure it out. 00:05:24.880 --> 00:05:25.320 Look at it. 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:27.300 Those who love it. 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:29.819 That's referring to the tongue. 00:05:30.879 --> 00:05:31.819 He's just been talking about 00:05:31.819 --> 00:05:33.079 the power of the tongue 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:34.740 and those who love it. 00:05:34.839 --> 00:05:36.939 The tongue will eat its fruits. 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:38.540 The idea is 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:40.259 those who love to talk 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:41.860 or listen to themselves talk 00:05:41.860 --> 00:05:46.519 will eventually taste the fruit of their lips. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:48.539 Eventually, 00:05:48.879 --> 00:05:52.219 we will experience the consequences 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:54.660 of our speech. 00:05:55.840 --> 00:05:57.100 This is a warning. 00:05:58.240 --> 00:05:59.660 We need to be careful. 00:05:59.780 --> 00:06:01.120 We need to be very careful 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:02.300 with our tongue 00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:05.720 because it is a powerful weapon. 00:06:05.720 --> 00:06:08.040 And it can do 00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:11.060 lasting damage. 00:06:12.200 --> 00:06:13.300 Many of us, 00:06:13.420 --> 00:06:15.720 we've got powerful handguns 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:17.120 and rifles 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:18.440 in our homes. 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:22.079 You may like to hunt with yours. 00:06:22.180 --> 00:06:23.540 You may like to target practice. 00:06:24.040 --> 00:06:25.800 You may like to just have it. 00:06:26.300 --> 00:06:27.399 Just to look at. 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:29.259 But regardless, 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:32.439 when you handle that weapon, 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:37.040 you are very, very careful. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:39.180 You don't play with it. 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:40.779 It's not a toy. 00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:43.719 You handle it carefully 00:06:43.719 --> 00:06:45.839 and responsibly. 00:06:46.899 --> 00:06:48.719 Well, all of us, 00:06:49.019 --> 00:06:51.699 we've got a powerful tongue 00:06:51.699 --> 00:06:54.619 that can do more than 00:06:54.619 --> 00:06:56.879 kill the body. 00:06:58.519 --> 00:06:59.779 I want you to think 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:02.219 about the power of the tongue, 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:03.779 the power of our speech, 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:05.779 the power of your words. 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:06.379 With your words, 00:07:07.259 --> 00:07:08.179 with your words, 00:07:08.239 --> 00:07:10.199 you can kill someone's reputation 00:07:10.199 --> 00:07:11.579 just like that. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:14.399 With your words, 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:18.179 you can kill the closeness 00:07:18.179 --> 00:07:19.659 of your family. 00:07:22.659 --> 00:07:24.739 Your relationships 00:07:24.739 --> 00:07:28.979 can be hurt. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.379 They can be crippled. 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:33.399 With your words, 00:07:33.399 --> 00:07:35.000 you can kill the trust 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:36.319 of a friend. 00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:39.599 You know, 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:41.060 just think about it. 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:42.739 Through the choice 00:07:42.739 --> 00:07:43.879 of your words, 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:45.500 you could destroy 00:07:45.500 --> 00:07:46.179 the fellowship 00:07:46.179 --> 00:07:47.159 of this church 00:07:47.159 --> 00:07:47.979 this week. 00:07:49.620 --> 00:07:50.739 You could destroy 00:07:50.739 --> 00:07:51.500 the morale 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:51.959 of the place 00:07:51.959 --> 00:07:52.739 where you work 00:07:52.739 --> 00:07:55.560 or on your team 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:57.560 if you're playing a sport. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:01.419 God's word 00:08:01.419 --> 00:08:02.719 is warning us 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:03.660 and we're going to look 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:05.160 at several of these warnings 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:06.260 over the course 00:08:06.260 --> 00:08:07.400 of the next couple of weeks. 00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:08.960 But God's word 00:08:08.960 --> 00:08:10.160 is warning us here 00:08:10.160 --> 00:08:13.340 we need to be careful. 00:08:15.140 --> 00:08:16.260 Our speech, 00:08:16.460 --> 00:08:17.560 our words 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:19.080 have the power 00:08:19.080 --> 00:08:20.220 to destroy, 00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:22.900 to destroy people, 00:08:23.080 --> 00:08:24.560 to destroy relationships, 00:08:24.900 --> 00:08:26.220 to destroy community. 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:29.840 just like we need, 00:08:30.080 --> 00:08:31.300 just like we do know 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:31.880 how to handle 00:08:31.880 --> 00:08:33.019 our guns carefully, 00:08:33.540 --> 00:08:35.740 we need to learn 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:37.300 to handle our words 00:08:37.300 --> 00:08:38.800 carefully. 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:41.600 But words don't just 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:42.759 have destructive power. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:43.660 That's not all 00:08:43.660 --> 00:08:44.220 that's said here 00:08:44.220 --> 00:08:44.779 in this verse, 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:45.100 is it? 00:08:45.540 --> 00:08:46.800 On the positive side, 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:48.660 words also have 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:50.220 life-giving power. 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:50.779 power. 00:08:52.160 --> 00:08:53.120 Our words 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:53.560 can 00:08:53.560 --> 00:08:55.180 encourage. 00:08:56.660 --> 00:08:57.500 Our words 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.460 can inspire. 00:08:59.960 --> 00:09:00.680 Our words 00:09:00.680 --> 00:09:01.340 can lift 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:02.399 someone up 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:03.759 in such a way 00:09:03.759 --> 00:09:05.019 as to change 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:05.540 the course 00:09:05.540 --> 00:09:06.300 of their life. 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:08.700 It may be 00:09:08.700 --> 00:09:09.460 that you 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:11.259 have experienced 00:09:11.259 --> 00:09:12.019 that yourself. 00:09:13.139 --> 00:09:13.899 That what 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:14.960 a parent 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:16.019 or a grandparent 00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:16.980 or a teacher 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:17.860 or coach 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:18.980 or some friend 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:21.139 said to you. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:23.579 Just let you know 00:09:23.579 --> 00:09:24.279 they cared, 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:25.100 they noticed, 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:25.679 that they saw 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:26.740 potential in you. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.860 They encouraged you 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:30.939 and it made a difference 00:09:30.939 --> 00:09:31.559 in your life. 00:09:32.559 --> 00:09:33.259 Think about this. 00:09:33.579 --> 00:09:34.559 Our words 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:35.620 can always 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:36.120 communicate 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.079 love 00:09:37.079 --> 00:09:39.539 in any situation. 00:09:40.819 --> 00:09:41.299 They can 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:42.199 communicate 00:09:42.199 --> 00:09:43.860 our love, 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:45.879 our care. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:47.559 our concern. 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:49.319 Have you ever 00:09:49.319 --> 00:09:49.659 thought about 00:09:49.659 --> 00:09:50.720 why our words 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:51.360 are so powerful? 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:52.100 You really can't 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:52.699 argue with it. 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:54.699 You really can't 00:09:54.699 --> 00:09:55.539 argue with the fact 00:09:55.539 --> 00:09:56.539 that words 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:59.199 are so powerful. 00:10:00.059 --> 00:10:00.519 Why? 00:10:02.340 --> 00:10:02.539 Well, 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.439 having the ability 00:10:03.439 --> 00:10:04.079 to communicate 00:10:04.079 --> 00:10:05.039 with words 00:10:05.039 --> 00:10:06.220 is one of the ways 00:10:06.220 --> 00:10:07.079 we're like God. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.679 Think about it. 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:11.199 Our words, 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:11.819 our being able 00:10:11.819 --> 00:10:12.519 to speak 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.319 as we do, 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:15.100 identifies us 00:10:15.100 --> 00:10:16.000 as human beings 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.759 created in God's image. 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:20.799 You know, 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:21.940 Genesis 1 00:10:21.940 --> 00:10:23.320 tells us 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:23.759 that God 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.740 created this world 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.779 by speaking 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:28.059 it into existence. 00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:29.840 If you turn 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:31.059 to Genesis 1 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:32.659 and just read 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:33.539 through the account 00:10:33.539 --> 00:10:34.220 of creation, 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:35.620 every act 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:36.259 of creation 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:36.899 begins 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.519 with this phrase, 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:41.059 and God said, 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:43.480 God spoke 00:10:43.480 --> 00:10:44.699 the world 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:45.539 into creation. 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:47.000 Well, 00:10:47.059 --> 00:10:48.259 as His image 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:49.120 bearers, 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:51.460 He has entrusted 00:10:51.460 --> 00:10:52.340 to us 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:54.100 the power 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:55.939 of speech. 00:10:55.940 --> 00:10:58.660 and we can be 00:10:58.660 --> 00:10:59.840 like Him 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:01.440 in that we can 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:02.380 use words 00:11:02.380 --> 00:11:03.540 in just a great 00:11:03.540 --> 00:11:04.100 and positive 00:11:04.100 --> 00:11:05.060 and helpful way. 00:11:05.260 --> 00:11:06.380 We can create 00:11:06.380 --> 00:11:07.100 trust. 00:11:07.880 --> 00:11:08.700 We can build 00:11:08.700 --> 00:11:09.380 relationships. 00:11:11.560 --> 00:11:12.580 But we're not 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:13.820 always like God 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:14.180 this way, 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:14.540 are we? 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:17.500 And when we're not, 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:19.419 when we don't want 00:11:19.419 --> 00:11:20.219 to be like God, 00:11:20.219 --> 00:11:22.519 we can use our words 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:23.919 to destroy trust, 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.019 to break 00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.399 relationships. 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.299 And you know 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.039 what I'm talking about. 00:11:31.679 --> 00:11:32.980 You've experienced 00:11:32.980 --> 00:11:35.159 that to some degree, 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:35.759 I'm sure. 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.639 There's another reason 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:38.399 why our words 00:11:38.399 --> 00:11:39.180 are so powerful. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.120 They can penetrate 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:42.539 into a person's 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:43.320 heart 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:44.980 and soul. 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:46.700 I want you to look 00:11:46.700 --> 00:11:47.620 at one more proverb 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:48.279 this morning. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:49.740 It's chapter 12, 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:50.580 verse 18. 00:11:51.580 --> 00:11:52.240 He writes, 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.240 There is one 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:55.399 whose rash words 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.200 are like 00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:57.980 sword thrusts. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.360 There is one 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:01.519 whose rash words 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:02.120 are like 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:03.460 thrusting a sword 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:04.580 into someone. 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.879 But the tongue 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.060 of the wise 00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:09.799 brings healing. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.440 Some words 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.340 are spoken 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:16.620 like a sword 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.700 thrusting 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:18.639 into a person. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.679 Some words 00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.740 are spoken 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:24.200 with the intention 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:26.279 of penetrating 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.080 all the way 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:27.860 to a person's 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.340 heart, 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:30.639 to a person's 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.279 spirit, 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.460 and causing 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.820 real pain. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:37.179 You know, 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.259 you think about it. 00:12:39.060 --> 00:12:40.340 We call such words 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:41.500 cutting words. 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.840 We cut someone 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:47.519 or we've been cut 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.899 down by someone. 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:51.079 some of those 00:12:51.079 --> 00:12:51.720 cutting words 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.379 are sometimes 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.299 spoken 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:54.919 rashly, 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:57.120 impulsively. 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.220 Sometimes we 00:12:59.220 --> 00:12:59.959 just don't think. 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.399 Sometimes such words 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:03.720 are unfiltered. 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:05.759 And we just 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:06.159 don't, 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:06.980 you know, 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.519 we just don't 00:13:07.519 --> 00:13:09.360 really think 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:09.860 about what 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.539 we've done. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.120 But the person 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:14.480 on the receiving end, 00:13:14.480 --> 00:13:17.340 they can't stop 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.259 thinking about 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:18.659 them 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:20.700 because those 00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:21.120 words, 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.879 our words, 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:22.639 cut to their 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.139 heart. 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:26.100 They created 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.300 a painful 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:28.300 wound. 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:32.779 They may have 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.580 left a permanent 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.139 scar. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.180 You know, 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:36.920 this brings to 00:13:36.920 --> 00:13:37.220 mind, 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:37.800 thinking like this, 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.560 brings to mind 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.759 that most 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:40.720 untrue statement 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:41.860 ever told a child. 00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:42.980 You know 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.620 where I'm going. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.300 Sticks and stones 00:13:45.300 --> 00:13:46.340 may break my bones, 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.220 but words 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.740 will never harm me. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.060 Sticks and stones 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:51.960 can break bones, 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:52.940 but bones usually 00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:53.960 heal in six weeks, 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.320 don't they? 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.139 You get over it. 00:13:58.820 --> 00:13:59.680 Words can 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:00.360 break 00:14:00.360 --> 00:14:02.320 a child's heart, 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.220 crush 00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:05.080 a child's 00:14:05.080 --> 00:14:05.639 spirit, 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.659 and it takes 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.399 a whole lot longer 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.379 than six weeks 00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.000 for that heart 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.539 and spirit 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:13.159 to heal 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:15.159 if it ever 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:15.820 does. 00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.919 I could have 00:14:18.919 --> 00:14:19.539 some teachers 00:14:19.539 --> 00:14:20.259 in this room 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:21.039 to stand up 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:21.620 right now 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:23.220 and tell us 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:23.939 stories about 00:14:23.939 --> 00:14:25.439 children in 00:14:25.439 --> 00:14:26.240 their classroom, 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.080 children they 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.720 teach, 00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.820 whose heart 00:14:30.820 --> 00:14:31.840 has been 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:32.419 pierced, 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:33.879 their spirit 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:34.620 has been 00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.220 crushed, 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.179 and they 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:38.799 haven't gotten 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.360 over it. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:41.759 it's seen 00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.680 in the way 00:14:42.680 --> 00:14:43.080 that they 00:14:43.080 --> 00:14:43.779 look, 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:45.519 in the way 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:45.860 that they 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:46.620 interact with 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.440 their peers, 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:49.879 in the way 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.480 that they just 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.539 live life 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.399 every day. 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.139 Words 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:58.740 can penetrate 00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.580 a person's 00:14:59.580 --> 00:14:59.980 heart 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:02.600 and do 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.519 damage 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.080 that just 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:05.740 can't ever 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.420 be healed 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:07.839 except by 00:15:07.839 --> 00:15:08.240 the grace 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.779 of God. 00:15:10.099 --> 00:15:10.319 You know, 00:15:10.339 --> 00:15:10.639 you've heard 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.079 the saying, 00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:11.799 time heals 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.799 all wounds. 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:13.439 Well, 00:15:13.459 --> 00:15:14.000 it doesn't. 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:16.059 Time heals 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:16.879 some things. 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:18.039 Time makes 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:18.379 a lot of 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.959 things better. 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:20.319 Time does 00:15:20.319 --> 00:15:20.959 not heal 00:15:20.959 --> 00:15:22.259 all 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.579 wounds, 00:15:24.579 --> 00:15:25.559 including 00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.579 wounds 00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:27.120 that come 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.719 about as 00:15:27.719 --> 00:15:28.120 a result 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.839 of someone's 00:15:28.839 --> 00:15:29.419 words. 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.199 Now, 00:15:31.839 --> 00:15:32.539 words can 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:33.159 penetrate the 00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:33.959 heart and 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:34.839 spirit in a 00:15:34.839 --> 00:15:35.379 good way. 00:15:35.379 --> 00:15:35.820 look at the 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.399 second part 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:36.960 of that 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:37.439 proverb. 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:38.559 But the 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:39.159 tongue of 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.100 the wise 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.299 brings 00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.120 healing. 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.720 The right 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.220 kind of 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:44.960 words can 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:45.899 bring 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.659 healing 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:49.559 to some 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:49.919 broken 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:50.740 relationships. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.320 The right 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:52.899 kind of 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.059 words can 00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:55.059 offer hope 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:56.799 in some 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.200 hopeless 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:57.919 situations. 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.019 If you 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:00.740 watch the 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.259 Clemson 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:01.639 Tiger 00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.159 National 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:03.100 Championship 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:03.960 celebration 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:05.080 yesterday in 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.740 Death Valley 00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:06.900 or were 00:16:06.900 --> 00:16:07.360 there in 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:07.759 person, 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.600 you heard 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.560 several young 00:16:10.560 --> 00:16:12.160 men tell 00:16:12.160 --> 00:16:12.600 of the 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.900 impact that 00:16:13.900 --> 00:16:14.379 a special 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.080 coach, 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:16.980 family member, 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.580 or teammate 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:20.700 has made 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.440 on them. 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:23.420 And one 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:24.019 of the ways 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.440 that these 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.060 young men 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.920 were helped 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:27.659 by that 00:16:27.659 --> 00:16:28.440 special person 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:30.159 was through 00:16:30.159 --> 00:16:31.180 that person's 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:32.039 words. 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.399 Words of 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:35.019 encouragement. 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:36.340 Words of 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.320 affirmation. 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.100 Words of 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:39.639 correction 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.259 sometimes. 00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.460 times. 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.340 And one 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:43.720 thing that 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:44.759 impressed me 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:47.120 is those 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.480 big, 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.159 strong 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:49.919 men 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:52.399 spoke 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:52.779 about 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:54.480 words of 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.340 love 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:57.240 that came 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.639 from a 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.200 coach 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.480 or a 00:16:59.480 --> 00:16:59.919 parent 00:16:59.919 --> 00:17:01.720 or a 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.100 teammate. 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.720 Words 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.279 make a 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:05.920 difference. 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:07.940 They can 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.799 destroy a 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.180 life. 00:17:10.259 --> 00:17:10.700 but they 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.279 can also 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.839 heal. 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.539 They can 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.460 also build 00:17:14.460 --> 00:17:15.059 up. 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:16.839 The book 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.519 of Proverbs 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.000 goes to 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:19.079 great lengths 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:20.319 to make it 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:20.940 clear that 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.259 our words 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.700 matter. 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.339 Your words 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:24.779 matter. 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.140 My words 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:26.720 matter. 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:28.680 Words have 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.160 the power of 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:29.839 life and death. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:30.259 The word of 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:30.940 God says. 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:32.779 That's why we 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.559 need to learn 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.339 to be careful 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:34.779 with our 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.440 speech. 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:36.799 We need to 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.140 learn to 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.879 watch our 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.640 words. 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:38.759 words. 00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:40.440 But there's 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:40.820 one other 00:17:40.820 --> 00:17:41.360 thing I want 00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:41.780 to point out 00:17:41.780 --> 00:17:42.280 this morning 00:17:42.280 --> 00:17:42.620 in this 00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.300 first message 00:17:43.300 --> 00:17:44.240 about words 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:46.460 that we 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:46.860 need to 00:17:46.860 --> 00:17:48.140 hear and 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:48.840 think about. 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.500 This is 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.020 something that 00:17:51.020 --> 00:17:52.300 every commentator 00:17:52.300 --> 00:17:53.280 I read 00:17:53.280 --> 00:17:55.700 pointed to. 00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.180 I'm going to 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:57.720 call this the 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:58.580 revealing nature 00:17:58.580 --> 00:17:58.960 of our 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.520 words. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:17:59.579 words. 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.940 All of us 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.599 have problems 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:02.920 with our 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.400 words. 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.759 If you 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.539 don't think 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.359 you do, 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.500 you really 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.920 are deceived. 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.299 All of us 00:18:17.299 --> 00:18:17.940 have problems 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:18.339 with our 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:18.960 words. 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.099 The book 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.660 of James 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.220 says that 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.059 no human 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.859 being can 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.440 tame 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.519 their tongue. 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:25.500 Do you 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:25.980 know why? 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:28.099 The problem 00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:28.459 with our 00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:28.980 speech is 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.379 not really 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:29.959 a tongue 00:18:29.959 --> 00:18:30.679 problem. 00:18:31.439 --> 00:18:31.779 It's a 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.159 heart 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:33.139 problem. 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.719 And Jesus 00:18:34.719 --> 00:18:35.439 pointed this 00:18:35.439 --> 00:18:36.159 out in no 00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:37.139 uncertain terms. 00:18:37.639 --> 00:18:39.579 This is 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:39.980 what we need 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.559 to see 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:42.339 about the 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:43.159 revealing nature 00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:43.559 of our 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:43.939 words. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.779 Look at it. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.759 One verse, 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:46.699 Luke 6, 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.159 45. 00:18:47.719 --> 00:18:48.339 Jesus said 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:48.759 this, 00:18:49.219 --> 00:18:49.619 The good 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:52.099 person out 00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:52.719 of the good 00:18:52.719 --> 00:18:53.740 treasure of 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.259 his heart 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.399 produces good. 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.280 and the 00:18:56.280 --> 00:18:57.060 evil person 00:18:57.060 --> 00:18:58.519 out of his 00:18:58.519 --> 00:18:59.700 evil treasure 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:01.360 produces evil. 00:19:02.040 --> 00:19:02.580 For out of 00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:03.240 the abundance 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.280 of the heart 00:19:04.280 --> 00:19:05.720 his mouth 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.759 speaks. 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.680 Look at 00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.740 Chuck Swindoll's 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:12.200 comments on 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:12.500 that. 00:19:13.560 --> 00:19:14.000 He says, 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:14.720 Just as a 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.440 bucket draws 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.120 water from 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.720 a well, 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.580 so the tongue 00:19:18.580 --> 00:19:19.640 dips down 00:19:19.640 --> 00:19:20.620 and draws up 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:21.680 whatever fills 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.200 the heart. 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.100 If the 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:23.820 source is 00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.360 clean, 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:26.219 that is 00:19:26.219 --> 00:19:26.639 what the 00:19:26.639 --> 00:19:26.939 tongue 00:19:26.939 --> 00:19:27.819 communicates. 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:28.959 If it is 00:19:28.959 --> 00:19:29.939 contaminated, 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.019 again, 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.339 the tongue 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:33.959 will expose 00:19:33.959 --> 00:19:34.159 it. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.179 Hear what 00:19:37.179 --> 00:19:37.979 Jesus says. 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:40.199 Our words 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:40.959 are a 00:19:40.959 --> 00:19:41.679 reflection 00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:42.859 of the 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:43.459 condition of 00:19:43.459 --> 00:19:43.979 our heart. 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:45.639 If your 00:19:45.639 --> 00:19:46.099 words are 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.439 filthy, 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:46.839 it's because 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.479 your heart's 00:19:47.479 --> 00:19:47.699 filthy. 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.939 If your 00:19:49.939 --> 00:19:50.500 words are 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.199 deceptive, 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.619 it's because 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.500 your heart 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.539 is deceptive. 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:55.279 But if 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.659 your words 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.039 are true 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:56.839 and wise, 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:58.419 that indicates 00:19:58.419 --> 00:19:58.979 that your 00:19:58.979 --> 00:20:00.039 heart is 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.139 true and 00:20:01.139 --> 00:20:01.740 wise. 00:20:03.359 --> 00:20:04.359 So let's 00:20:04.359 --> 00:20:06.240 just look 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:06.759 at ourselves 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:07.039 now. 00:20:08.619 --> 00:20:09.519 What do 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.799 your words, 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:13.039 don't think 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.559 about somebody 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:13.979 else, 00:20:14.659 --> 00:20:15.179 what do 00:20:15.179 --> 00:20:16.119 your words 00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.179 reveal about 00:20:17.179 --> 00:20:17.859 the condition 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:19.179 of your 00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.179 heart? 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:23.100 do they 00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:23.700 reveal that 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.519 Jesus Christ 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.320 is at work? 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:26.960 Now that 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.580 doesn't mean 00:20:27.580 --> 00:20:27.900 that you've 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.120 got a 00:20:28.120 --> 00:20:28.840 perfect heart 00:20:28.840 --> 00:20:30.539 that produces 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.340 just perfect 00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:32.060 speech, 00:20:33.060 --> 00:20:34.120 but it 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:34.860 will mean 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:35.299 that your 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:35.980 heart and 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:38.220 words have 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.700 the Spirit 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.200 of God 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.019 acting as 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.720 a filter. 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:43.380 Think about 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:43.580 it. 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:44.860 In the life 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.259 of every 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.700 Christian, 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.019 the Spirit 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.560 of God, 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.100 the Spirit 00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:48.919 of Christ, 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:50.899 the Holy 00:20:50.899 --> 00:20:51.279 Spirit. 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.719 All three 00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:54.839 names are 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.240 found in 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.459 Scripture 00:20:55.459 --> 00:20:55.879 to describe 00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:56.179 the Holy 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:56.459 Spirit. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:56.879 He is the 00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:57.199 Spirit of 00:20:57.199 --> 00:20:57.399 God. 00:20:57.459 --> 00:20:57.699 He's the 00:20:57.699 --> 00:20:57.980 Spirit of 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.379 Christ. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.879 He's at 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.599 work in 00:21:01.599 --> 00:21:01.859 the life 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.240 of every 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.639 Christian, 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:05.000 and it's 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.459 the Spirit 00:21:05.459 --> 00:21:05.859 of God 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:06.500 who actually 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.759 causes us 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:08.559 to desire, 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:09.959 to be able 00:21:09.959 --> 00:21:10.719 to develop, 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.459 and then to 00:21:12.459 --> 00:21:13.279 demonstrate 00:21:13.279 --> 00:21:14.659 Christ-like 00:21:14.659 --> 00:21:15.199 character. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.199 See, 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.659 the fruit of 00:21:17.660 --> 00:21:18.120 the Spirit, 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.519 the Scripture 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.480 says in 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.140 Galatians 5, 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.019 is love, 00:21:21.140 --> 00:21:21.600 and joy, 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.200 and peace, 00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:22.840 and patience, 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.560 and kindness, 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:24.580 and goodness, 00:21:24.820 --> 00:21:25.500 and faithfulness, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.180 and gentleness, 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:27.000 and self-control. 00:21:28.860 --> 00:21:29.560 That's the 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:30.240 character of 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.560 Jesus. 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.720 There is a 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:36.759 struggle in 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.200 everyone, 00:21:37.580 --> 00:21:38.640 every Christian's 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.040 life. 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.380 There's a 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.180 struggle about 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:42.660 this, 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.120 over this, 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.500 because we 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.360 all have sinful 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.819 desires within 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.279 us, 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.779 and there's 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.919 sinful temptations 00:21:50.919 --> 00:21:51.819 all around us. 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.279 When we give 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.979 in to those 00:21:54.979 --> 00:21:56.000 sinful desires 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.699 and temptations, 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.240 the Holy Spirit 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.399 will convict us 00:21:59.399 --> 00:22:00.059 of our sin. 00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:01.299 He will 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.740 inflict guilt 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:04.039 on us. 00:22:05.719 --> 00:22:06.319 The Spirit 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:06.799 of God 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.240 will not 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.579 allow a 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.219 true child 00:22:09.219 --> 00:22:09.819 of God 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:12.119 to be at 00:22:12.119 --> 00:22:12.699 peace with 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.319 themselves 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:16.019 or with 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.539 God. 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.440 When there 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.080 is sin 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:19.840 in our 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.580 lives 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:22.240 and we 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:23.319 refuse to 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.539 confess it, 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:25.580 turn from it, 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:26.539 and seek 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.240 God's forgiveness. 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:31.220 I want to ask 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:31.460 you, 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:33.039 is the Holy Spirit 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.819 convicting you 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.220 of anything 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.740 right now? 00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.420 Not just your 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:37.960 words, 00:22:38.680 --> 00:22:39.180 attitudes, 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.940 some things 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.580 you're involved 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.000 in that you 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.500 shouldn't be. 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.159 I want you 00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:45.939 to hear this. 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:46.939 If you're a 00:22:46.939 --> 00:22:47.299 Christian, 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.480 and the Spirit 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:49.759 of God 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.299 is convicting 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.859 you about 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.720 some particular 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.519 sin in your 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:52.960 life, 00:22:53.679 --> 00:22:54.559 He is not 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:55.279 going to 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.220 let up 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.960 until you 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.859 give up 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.960 and come back 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.579 to the Lord. 00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:03.000 Now you need 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.500 to be thankful 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:03.980 for that 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.759 because that 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.919 is a sign 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:08.140 that you're 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:08.560 a Christian. 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.240 If the Spirit 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.539 of God 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:10.840 does not 00:23:10.840 --> 00:23:11.360 live within 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:11.680 you, 00:23:12.060 --> 00:23:12.400 if He 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:12.740 does not 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.340 convict you 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:13.860 of sin, 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.740 if He 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.200 does not 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.380 cause you 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:17.279 to desire 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.220 Christ-like 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:18.720 character, 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:21.680 if that is 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.180 absent, 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.620 you have no 00:23:23.620 --> 00:23:24.120 reason to 00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:24.480 think that 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.039 you are a 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.460 child of 00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:25.779 God. 00:23:25.779 --> 00:23:28.100 But if there 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:28.519 is that 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.140 struggle, 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.160 there is that 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:31.820 conviction, 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:34.639 it's a sign 00:23:34.639 --> 00:23:34.960 that you're 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.480 a child of 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.220 God and 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.759 you can rest 00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.460 assured God 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:38.099 will never 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:39.299 give up on 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.399 His children. 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:42.379 God loves 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:42.879 us enough 00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:43.879 to discipline 00:23:43.879 --> 00:23:44.359 us. 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.139 And God 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:46.399 will do 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.899 whatever it 00:23:46.899 --> 00:23:47.339 takes to 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:47.700 bring us 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:48.139 back to 00:23:48.139 --> 00:23:48.700 Himself. 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.460 If we're 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.939 His, 00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.799 if we're 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.460 hard-headed, 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.220 if we won't 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.939 confess our 00:23:55.939 --> 00:23:56.500 sins, 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:58.119 God will 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:58.960 make our 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.539 lives 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.419 miserable 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:03.440 He won't 00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:03.800 let us 00:24:03.800 --> 00:24:04.240 alone. 00:24:05.300 --> 00:24:05.740 And His 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.700 purpose is 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.820 to get us 00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:08.539 to wake 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:08.920 up, 00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:10.700 confess our 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.100 sin, 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.380 turn from 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:12.600 it, 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.720 seek His 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.340 forgiveness, 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:15.720 and be 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.680 restored to 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:17.220 a right 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:18.000 relationship 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.519 with Him 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.080 and have 00:24:19.080 --> 00:24:19.800 good fellowship 00:24:19.800 --> 00:24:20.380 with Him. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.740 Let me 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.240 ask you, 00:24:25.560 --> 00:24:26.240 do your 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.180 words reveal 00:24:27.180 --> 00:24:28.840 that your 00:24:28.840 --> 00:24:29.380 heart 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:31.300 has been 00:24:31.300 --> 00:24:32.080 changed by 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:32.520 the Lord, 00:24:32.620 --> 00:24:33.160 is being 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.840 changed by 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.280 the Lord? 00:24:36.560 --> 00:24:36.740 Does 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.120 your, 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:38.620 do your 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.440 words reveal 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:39.840 that your 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:41.380 heart is 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:41.700 the heart 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:41.940 of a 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.240 Christian? 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.020 Secondly, 00:24:45.820 --> 00:24:46.860 do your 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.960 words reveal 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:49.200 that your 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.540 heart has 00:24:49.540 --> 00:24:50.040 never been 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:50.640 changed, 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.460 that it's 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.140 just cold, 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.860 there's some 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.760 indifference? 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.660 it doesn't 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:58.359 bother you, 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.279 the words 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.680 that you 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.059 say. 00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:03.180 I want you 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.440 to think 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.000 about this. 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.299 If your 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.079 words are 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:08.220 mostly selfish, 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.379 hateful, 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.500 worldly, 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.960 deceptive, 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.579 and hurtful 00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.339 of others, 00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.180 that's an 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.099 indication that 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:17.920 you've got a 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.400 sinful, 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.319 unchanged 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:19.779 heart. 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.640 And I want 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.000 you to wake 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.480 up to that. 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.480 You know, 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.680 every one of 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:26.259 us who are 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.720 Christians, 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.000 there are 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.700 times when 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.380 we do 00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:31.180 speak selfishly, 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:32.019 hatefully, 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.480 there's times 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:33.880 when we do 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.359 hurt other 00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.740 people. 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.059 But that's 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:36.539 not the 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.380 normal pattern 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:37.740 of our 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.440 lives. 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:39.960 That's not 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.740 just who 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.539 we are, 00:25:42.079 --> 00:25:42.640 because the 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.140 Spirit of 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:45.039 God won't 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.819 let us be. 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:48.480 But if 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.919 that's who 00:25:48.919 --> 00:25:49.639 you are, 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.839 your greatest 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:52.119 need is not 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:52.759 to clean up 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.500 your speech. 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:54.939 Your greatest 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:56.839 need is to 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.960 be changed 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.019 by God, 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:00.679 to let Him 00:26:00.679 --> 00:26:01.599 clean up 00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:02.220 your heart, 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.119 and that'll 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.639 clean up your 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.159 speech. 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.299 But the only 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.659 way that's 00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:05.899 going to 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:07.619 happen is 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:08.379 if you will 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.980 humbly and 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:11.240 wholeheartedly 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:13.299 ask God to 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.879 save you, 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:15.500 and change 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:15.900 you this 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.220 way. 00:26:17.300 --> 00:26:17.740 And if that's 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:18.340 your desire, 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.020 right now, 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.780 confess your 00:26:19.780 --> 00:26:20.120 sin. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:21.960 Ask God to 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.520 help you to 00:26:22.520 --> 00:26:23.480 truly turn 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.060 from it. 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.020 Express to 00:26:26.020 --> 00:26:26.900 God your 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.740 sorrow for 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.220 the way that 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.620 you have 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:29.320 lived and 00:26:29.320 --> 00:26:30.340 dishonored and 00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:30.900 displeased 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.200 Him. 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.300 Trust that 00:26:33.300 --> 00:26:33.720 when Jesus 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.300 died on the 00:26:34.300 --> 00:26:35.120 cross, He 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.700 actually paid 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.080 the penalty 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.620 for your 00:26:36.620 --> 00:26:36.980 sins. 00:26:37.260 --> 00:26:37.560 He took 00:26:37.560 --> 00:26:38.300 your punishment. 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:40.200 Call upon 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.840 Him to save 00:26:40.840 --> 00:26:41.400 you now. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.800 Surrender 00:26:43.799 --> 00:26:44.500 control of 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:44.960 your life 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.440 to Him. 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:46.119 He's the 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:46.839 Lord Jesus 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.419 Christ. 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:50.859 God cares 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:51.200 about the 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:51.799 way we use 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.519 our words 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:54.220 because they're 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.119 a gift from 00:26:55.119 --> 00:26:56.839 Him, and 00:26:56.839 --> 00:26:57.859 they are so 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.879 powerful. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.879 That's why we 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.259 need to care 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.659 about our 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.940 words as 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.379 well. 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.319 We need to 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.639 care about 00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:07.039 our words 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:08.279 because Jesus 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.019 said that our 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:10.279 words will be 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.000 a part of the 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.339 criteria for 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:13.039 judgment, 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:14.279 judgment at 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:14.639 the end of 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.379 our lives. 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.480 And I 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:16.700 want to 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.159 conclude, 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:18.039 this is it, 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.579 with these 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:20.579 most sobering 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.200 words of 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.779 Jesus about 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.299 our words. 00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:25.980 Look at it, 00:27:26.099 --> 00:27:26.899 Matthew 12. 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.220 Jesus said, 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:29.119 I tell you, 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.359 on the day of 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.879 judgment, 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.059 people will 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.159 give account 00:27:33.159 --> 00:27:34.200 for every 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.639 careless word 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:36.579 they speak. 00:27:37.200 --> 00:27:38.240 For by your 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.720 words, you will 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.299 be justified. 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:42.079 and by your 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:44.079 words, you 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.440 will be 00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:44.879 condemned. 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.539 Let's pray 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:46.859 together. 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.259 Father, 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:51.539 Father, help 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.279 us all this 00:27:52.279 --> 00:27:53.220 morning to see 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:55.579 the seriousness 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:57.079 of our 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:57.759 speech. 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:02.099 Father, help 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.940 us to see 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:05.779 the power of 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:07.900 our words. 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:18.220 Father, help 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.120 us to admit 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:24.320 that our 00:28:24.320 --> 00:28:27.059 words are 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:27.700 normal 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:34.059 speech is 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.639 an indication 00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:36.599 of what's 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:36.879 in our 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.339 heart. 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.299 Show us, 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:41.819 Father, how we 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:42.379 should respond 00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:42.980 to you now. 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:49.059 Father, so 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:51.559 work to 00:28:51.559 --> 00:28:52.359 call people in 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.919 this room who 00:28:52.919 --> 00:28:53.339 are not 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:55.379 Christians to 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:55.860 faith in 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:56.940 Jesus now. 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.820 We pray. 00:29:00.980 --> 00:29:01.740 Father, call 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.460 Christians who 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.100 have become 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:05.780 indifferent, 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.720 uncooperative 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:11.580 to your 00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:11.960 indwelling 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.540 spirit. 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.040 And it 00:29:15.040 --> 00:29:15.640 comes, it's 00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.200 come out in 00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.020 their words. 00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:19.280 Help them to 00:29:19.280 --> 00:29:19.940 see it's more 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.640 than the speech 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.300 problem, it's a 00:29:21.300 --> 00:29:21.880 heart problem. 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.160 Help that man 00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:24.680 or woman or 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:25.180 young person 00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:25.720 your God, right 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.039 now, to 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.759 confess their 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:28.220 sin, to 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:28.779 humble themselves 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.700 before you 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:31.120 and toward 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:32.880 anyone they 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:34.039 have wronged. 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.500 Help them to 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:35.960 seek your 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.420 forgiveness. 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:37.060 Help them to 00:29:37.060 --> 00:29:37.720 seek that other 00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.259 person's 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.660 forgiveness. 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.160 Dear God, do 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:47.000 heart work 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:49.100 in all of our 00:29:49.100 --> 00:29:51.100 lives, not 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:52.100 just this 00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:54.440 moment, but 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.180 every day. 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:59.120 So that our 00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:02.960 speech will 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.519 do more 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:05.019 building up 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.700 than tearing 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.140 down. 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.759 And in an 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.180 attitude of 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:10.580 prayer, you 00:30:10.580 --> 00:30:11.039 listen to the 00:30:11.039 --> 00:30:11.380 Lord, you 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.000 respond to 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.620 Him, do 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:13.940 what He's 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.400 telling you to 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:14.580 do. 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:15.519 If I could 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.240 pray with you 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.799 about this, 00:30:16.860 --> 00:30:17.259 help you in 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.660 any way, I'll 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.100 be here at the 00:30:18.100 --> 00:30:18.400 front. 00:30:19.900 --> 00:30:20.580 What's important 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:21.340 is you listen to 00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:43.859 the Lord and 00:30:43.859 --> 00:30:43.919 respond to Him.