1. How Important are Careless Words?

2. Matthew 12:22-24 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

3. Matthew 12:25-29 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

4. Matthew 12:30-32 “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

5. Matthew 12:33-37 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

6. What do you need to know about careless words?

7. I. Words are Important.

8. A. Words are more powerful than you think!
I. Words are Important.
A. Words are more powerful than you think!

9. A. Words are more powerful than you think! Why?
I. Words are Important.
A. Words are more powerful than you think! Why?

10. I. Words are Important.
A. Words are more powerful than you think! 1. What is harbored in your mind becomes who you are.

11. I. Words are Important.
A. Words are more powerful than you think! 1. What is harbored in your mind becomes who you are. 2. They are vehicles for communication.

12. I. Words are Important.
A. Words are more powerful than you think! 1. What is harbored in your mind becomes who you are. 2. They are vehicles for communication. 3. They influence what others will become.

13. A. Words are more powerful than you think! 2. Words have power.
I. Words are Important.
A. Words are more powerful than you think!
2. Words have power.
II Peter 2:18 - For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.

14. 1. Singing with thanksgiving.
I. Words are Important.
B. Words for good.
1. Singing with thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5: Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15. B. Words for good. 2. Encouraging. I. Words are Important.
I Thessalonians 4:18 - Therefore encourage each other with these words.

16. I. Words are Important.
C. Words for evil.

17. C. Words for evil. I. Words are Important.
I Timothy 6:4-5 - He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind.

18. C. Words for evil. I. Words are Important.
I Timothy 6:4-5 - He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind.
II Timothy 2:14 - Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

19. I. Words are Important. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.

20. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
A. What’s the Unpardonable Sin?
- v22-32.
Matthew 12:32 - Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

21. Matthew 12:22-24 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

22. Matthew 12:22-24 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

23. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
A. What’s the Unpardonable Sin?
- v22-32.
1. This was a miracle where the Holy Spirit overpowered Satan’s stronghold.

24. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
A. What’s the Unpardonable Sin?
- v22-32.
1. This was a miracle where the Holy Spirit overpowered Satan’s stronghold.
2. Refusal to accept the Lord in spite of the evidence.

25. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
A. What’s the Unpardonable Sin?
- v22-32.
3. Where might you see this?

26. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
B. Words betray what your heart is like
Matthew 12: Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

27. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
C. Therefore think before you speak!
Proverbs 10:19 - When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

28. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
C. Therefore think before you speak!
Proverbs 10:19 - When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 29:20 - Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

29. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside.
C. Therefore think before you speak!
Proverbs 10:19 - When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 29:20 - Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Ecclesiastes 10: Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness.

30. I. Words are Important. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside
I. Words are Important. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside. III. Behavior Speaks Louder Than Words.

31. III. Behavior Speaks Louder Than Words.
A. Behavior backs up the words you say.
I John 3:18 - Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

32. III. Behavior Speaks Louder Than Words.
B. Behavior can be more influential than words.
I Peter 3:1-2 - Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

33. III. Behavior Speaks Louder Than Words.
C. Behavior gives power to the gospel.
I Thessalonians 1:4-5 - For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

34. I. Words are Important. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside
I. Words are Important. II. Words are an Indicator of What’s Inside. III. Behavior Speaks Louder Than Words. IV. What Do You Do When You Goof?

35. IV. What Do You Do When You Goof?
A. God’s judgment may come in connection with the words you speak.
Ephesians 5:6 - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

36. IV. What Do You Do When You Goof?
A. God’s judgment may come in connection with the words you speak.
Matthew 12: But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

37. IV. What Do You Do When You Goof?
B. What can you do?
1. Humble yourself.
Proverbs 6:1-3 - if you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go and humble yourself; press your plea with your neighbor!

38. IV. What Do You Do When You Goof?
B. What can you do?
2. Apologize.
Matthew 25: Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

39. IV. What Do You Do When You Goof?
B. What can you do? 3. Surrender to God!

40. Remember - Your words betray you
Remember - Your words betray you! They present you for who you really are. So - allow Lord Jesus to penetrate your life & clean you up. Then your speech will honor Him!