Sermon Outlines: Words that Kill

A Look at Words that Kill and How to Avoid Them

By Kim Linton, published Mar 26, 2008
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My husband and I have a brief Bible study together every morning before we start our day. Our last study was taken from James chapter three which discusses how dangerous our words can be. I've read these passages many times before, but this time they came alive to me in a new way.

James 3:5-6 says:

"So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire. And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell."

In other words, our tongue, or the words we use, can destroy not only our lives, but also the lives of those around us. James goes on to say in 3:8-10:

"But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."

All of us have been guilty of this from time to time. Often we curse others when we feel insecure or threatened. We believe they have done us wrong somehow. We want to hurt them, even kill them with our words. James makes it clear that this kind of reaction is not from God. James 3:13-16 says:

"Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing."

Takeaways
  • The words we use can destroy not only our lives, but also the lives of those around us.
  • Many families, churches and friendships have been destroyed in the wake of an eruption of bitternes.
Comments
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A well articulated and important article

Posted on 08/18/2008 at 5:08:00 PM

 
This is a significant and beautiful article. Great job....we all need a reminder to curb our tongue at times and focus on the positive.

Posted on 07/07/2008 at 9:07:22 PM

 
Great piece Kim. One of my favorite sermons that I remember from my lifetime was one where the minister spoke on how everything we say can either be encouraging or discouraging and how easy it is to do harm with our words. I appologize for not baing online so much lately, but love your articles.

Posted on 07/03/2008 at 9:07:43 PM

 
Kim, Thank you for sharing this piece with us. It is very insightful and I believe if we truly look within, any hidden anger we have in our heart will never go away until we let it go. Your words and His words moved me today. May God continue to bless you.

Posted on 06/30/2008 at 1:06:49 AM

 
Great article. You are right - often we forget how powerful words can be...either good or bad.

Posted on 06/26/2008 at 6:06:37 PM

 
Good article - thanks Kim!

Posted on 06/07/2008 at 11:06:34 PM

 
Great article. Thanks for sharing.

Posted on 06/05/2008 at 6:06:49 PM

 
This was a wonderful piece. I, too, have been studying these passages and have come to realize the real power in words of blessing to others. This is what the Scripture means by Jesus laying hands on people and "blessing them." In the other direction is words that hurt and harm...something Jesus never did. God bless you1

Posted on 05/30/2008 at 8:05:35 AM

 
Great article and the words are really true; you describe it very well in your article.

Posted on 05/26/2008 at 10:05:46 AM

 
Very well said about those words. Thanks kim for this piece. five star

Posted on 05/09/2008 at 10:05:34 AM

 
So true Kim! Thanks. Great article.

Posted on 05/03/2008 at 5:05:59 PM

 
wow...116 comments.what more can be said other then thanks for your thoughts...

Posted on 04/30/2008 at 10:04:24 AM

 
Just heard a sermon on this Scriptural text. Sounds like confirmation to me! ;-)

Posted on 04/30/2008 at 6:04:53 AM

 
Great work! Our words are truly powerful. When you see that God spoke the world into being in Genesis, "And God said..." and also that Jesus proclaimed himself, "The Word," in the book of John, we come to realize that, like God, our words are powerful and can do harm or good.

Posted on 04/29/2008 at 3:04:38 PM

 
Ya know Kim...my fav priest Fr. Mueller told me once in confession about how we must forgive each other b/c we are in the image and likeness of God...knowing that....how can we do anything else? Words get to our core....either good or bad....what a great article...I enjoyed it very much!

Posted on 04/26/2008 at 6:04:16 PM

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