1 “By Your Words” Matthew 12:37

2 Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

3 Psalms 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” Must watch our mouth! Must watch our mouth! Must control our lips! Must control our lips!

4 Proverbs 21:23 “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” Must consider the consequences of what we say! Must consider the consequences of what we say! If we don’t, trouble will come! If we don’t, trouble will come! “It seems that some people think by the inch and talk by the yard.” “It seems that some people think by the inch and talk by the yard.”

5 Introduction Christ warns us about a heart problem! Christ warns us about a heart problem! Our speech! Our speech! He mentions two types of hearts: He mentions two types of hearts: Evil! Evil! Good! Good! And what is stored in each! And what is stored in each! In our text – two types of speech! In our text – two types of speech! Words that will justify! Words that will justify! Words that will condemn! Words that will condemn!

6 Words That Justify! Justifiable speech comes from a pure heart! Justifiable speech comes from a pure heart! Lk. 6:45 Lk. 6:45 Phil. 4:8 Phil. 4:8 Must think on pure things in order to speak them! Must think on pure things in order to speak them! Prov. 15:4 Prov. 15:4 Eph. 4:29 Eph. 4:29

7 Words That Justify! Speaking words that edify! Speaking words that edify! Namely, speak the truth in love! Namely, speak the truth in love! Eph. 4:11-15 Eph. 4:11-15 Edify = Build up, encourage: Edify = Build up, encourage: 1 Thess. 5:11 1 Thess. 5:11 Do all things unto edification! Do all things unto edification! 1 Cor. 14:26 1 Cor. 14:26 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10 Paul’s purpose was to edify-not destroy! Paul’s purpose was to edify-not destroy!

8 Words That Justify! Speaking words that impart grace! Speaking words that impart grace! Col. 3:16 Col. 3:16 Songs must be sung with grace in our hearts: Songs must be sung with grace in our hearts: Must praise God! Must praise God! Must teach and admonish our brethren! Must teach and admonish our brethren! By using the heart and the tongue! By using the heart and the tongue! Not mechanical instruments of music! Not mechanical instruments of music! Col. 4:6 Col. 4:6 Speech must be “seasoned with salt” Speech must be “seasoned with salt” Well flavored – not intentionally offensive! Well flavored – not intentionally offensive! Prov. 15:1, 23 Prov. 15:1, 23 Seasoned communication will ease a situation – not inflame it! Seasoned communication will ease a situation – not inflame it!

9 Words That Justify! Words that are “fitly spoken.” Words that are “fitly spoken.” Prov. 25:11 Prov. 25:11 Such speech is valuable: Such speech is valuable: Compared with precious metals: Compared with precious metals: “Apples of gold in pictures of silver” “Apples of gold in pictures of silver” God’s word is more precious that gold & silver! God’s word is more precious that gold & silver! Ps. 19:7-10; 119:72, 127; Pr. 8:10-11, 18-19; 16:16 Ps. 19:7-10; 119:72, 127; Pr. 8:10-11, 18-19; 16:16 Carefully worded speech is precious! Carefully worded speech is precious! Of higher value than gold and silver! Of higher value than gold and silver!

10 Words That Justify! Giving an intelligent answer! Giving an intelligent answer! This demands forethought! This demands forethought! Many put their mouth in gear before their mind is engaged! Many put their mouth in gear before their mind is engaged! 1 Pet. 3:15 1 Pet. 3:15 Prov. 15:28 Prov. 15:28 “A tongue three inches long can ruin a man six feet tall.” “A tongue three inches long can ruin a man six feet tall.” “It is much better to dig for the facts than to jump to conclusions.” “It is much better to dig for the facts than to jump to conclusions.” “Some get their exercise by jumping to conclusions.” “Some get their exercise by jumping to conclusions.”

11 Words That Justify! Words of thankfulness! Words of thankfulness! Instead of corrupt communication! Instead of corrupt communication! Col. 2:6-7 Col. 2:6-7 Col. 3:15, 17 Col. 3:15, 17 Col. 4:2 Col. 4:2

12 Words That Justify! Speech that comes from a pure heart! Speech that comes from a pure heart! Words that edify! Words that edify! Words that impart grace! Words that impart grace! Words that are “fitly spoken.” Words that are “fitly spoken.” Giving an intelligent answer! Giving an intelligent answer! Words of thankfulness! Words of thankfulness!

13 Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

14 Words That Will Condemn! Using God’s name in vain! Using God’s name in vain! Ex. 20:7 Ex. 20:7 A part of the Old Law but a principle that still applies: A part of the Old Law but a principle that still applies: Matt. 6:9 - “Hollowed be thy name” Matt. 6:9 - “Hollowed be thy name” ” Hollowed = “to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:--hallow, be holy, sanctify.” Strong’s Dictionary Must hold highly God’s name and the name of Christ! Phil. 2:9-11 “Jesus Christ is Lord, not a swear word.” Some only refer to Jesus when swearing!

15 Words That Will Condemn! Murmuring and Complaining! Murmuring and Complaining! Described as evil! Described as evil! Phil. 2: Cor. 10:10 Shows lack of contentment & gratitude! Shows lack of contentment & gratitude! Heb. 13:5 Heb. 13:5 Phil. 4:11-12 Phil. 4: Tim. 6:6, 8 1 Tim. 6:6, 8

16 Words That Will Condemn! Profanity! Profanity! Does not fit with those raised with Christ! Does not fit with those raised with Christ! Col. 3:8 Col. 3:8 Eph. 5:3-4 Eph. 5:3-4 Includes: Includes: Foolish talking: Foolish talking: Saying dumb things! Saying dumb things! Course jesting: Course jesting: Inappropriate humor Inappropriate humor Jokes that make light of sin Jokes that make light of sin Debasing godliness Debasing godliness

17 Words That Will Condemn! Verbosity! Verbosity! Just talking too much! Just talking too much! Must make every word count! Must make every word count! Matt. 6:7 Matt. 6:7 Prov. 10:19; 13:3 Prov. 10:19; 13:3 Eccl. 5:3 Eccl. 5:3 Jas. 1:26 Jas. 1:26 Practice restraint in the number of words we use! Practice restraint in the number of words we use! “It is more important to weigh words than to count them.” “It is more important to weigh words than to count them.” “I have never been hurt by anything I didn’t say” “I have never been hurt by anything I didn’t say” Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge “The best way to keep people from jumping down your throat is to keep your mouth shut.” “The best way to keep people from jumping down your throat is to keep your mouth shut.”

18 Words That Will Condemn! Hasty Speech! Hasty Speech! Communication that lacks forethought is often wicked! Communication that lacks forethought is often wicked! “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” - Jas. 1:19 “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” - Jas. 1:19 Many are often swift to speak and slow to hear! Many are often swift to speak and slow to hear! Desire to understand then be understood! Desire to understand then be understood! Many don’t have anything to say; they just have to say something! Many don’t have anything to say; they just have to say something! Prov. 17:27; 29:20 Prov. 17:27; 29:20

19 Words That Will Condemn! Flattery! Flattery! Is successive or insincere praise! Is successive or insincere praise! Also flirting can qualify Also flirting can qualify Shallow comments often uttered with flirting is wrong: Shallow comments often uttered with flirting is wrong: Psa. 12:1-4 Psa. 12:1-4 Rom. 16:18 Rom. 16:18

20 Words That Will Condemn! Rash Swearing! Rash Swearing! Condemned specifically by scripture! Condemned specifically by scripture! Matt. 5:33-37 Matt. 5:33-37 Jas. 5:12 Jas. 5:12 Be true to your word! Be true to your word! Don’t make a promise with no intention of fulfilling it! Don’t make a promise with no intention of fulfilling it!

21 Words That Will Condemn! Euphemisms! Euphemisms! An inoffensive expression substituted for one that is offensive! Example: Sanitation engineer vs. garbage man! Some words should not be said by Christians! Examples: “Darn” = Damn “Gosh” = God “Gee” = Jesus “Golly” = God “Heck” = Hell Such “words” have no communicative value! Many use these “words” loosely, not knowing the meaning: Must mean what we say and speak purposefully! Jas. 5:12; Eph. 4:29 Look up these “words” in a good dictionary and see what you find!

22 Words That Will Condemn! Lies! Lies! Prov. 12:22 Prov. 12:22 Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9-10 Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9-10 Rev. 21:8 Rev. 21:8 Includes teaching false doctrine! Includes teaching false doctrine! 1 Tim. 4:1-7 1 Tim. 4:1-7

23 Words That Will Condemn! Gossip! Gossip! Rom. 1:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:20 Rom. 1:28-29; 2 Cor. 12:20 “Whisperings” “by implication, a slander” – Strong If it is worth saying, why whisper it? Prov. 16:28 God hates gossip! Prov. 11:13; 18:8; 20:19 Prov. 6:19

24 Words That Will Condemn! Using God’s name in vain! Using God’s name in vain! Murmuring and Complaining! Murmuring and Complaining! Profanity! Profanity! Verbosity! Verbosity! Hasty Speech! Hasty Speech! Flattery! Flattery! Rash Swearing! Rash Swearing! Euphemisms! Euphemisms! Lies! Lies! Gossip! Gossip!

25 Conclusion “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psa. 19:14). “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psa. 19:14). “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” (Matt. 15:18-20). “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man” (Matt. 15:18-20).