Title: Love built with language
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Love built up through language (James 3:2)
“We all make many mistakes, and if anyone makes no mistakes in his words, he is a perfect man” (James 3:2a).
I. Language has power.
(1) My mouth guides where I go (James 3:4). Language has the power to destroy what we have (James 3:5-6).
(2) My mouth reveals who I really am (James 3:11-12).
⑶Where does our language come from? (Matthew 12:34, Mark 7:15).
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).
“Nothing that goes into a man from the outside can defile him” (Mark 7:15).
II. Specific ways to love with words
1. Love in honest language.
① We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15a). “But doing the truth in love . . . :”
② We must tell the truth (Proverbs 27:5). “Indulgence is better than hidden love.”
“It rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth” 1 Corinthians 13:6
2. Love with prudent words.
(1) Three linguistic areas to watch out for
①Anger (Ephesians 4:26-27)
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil any opportunity.”
② Rumors (Proverbs 16:28b) “A talker separates close friends.”
③ Too many words (Proverbs 21:23) “He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.”
(2) We have different personalities and we communicate in different ways accordingly.
3. Love with words that build people.
“Let no unclean word come out of your mouth, but as it is for edification, let it be good, that it may give grace to those who hear it” (Ephesians 4:29).
THINK - Truthful, Helpful, Inspirational, Necessary, Kind
Ⅲ. Please choose to do the following this week:
(1) Kind words: turn anxiety into joy (Proverbs 12:25).
“When sorrow is in a man’s heart, it troubles him, but a good word makes it pleasant.”
(2) Gentle words: It quenches anger (Proverbs 15:1).
“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
⑶ Pleasant words: Encourage learning (Proverbs 16:21b).
“He who has a good mouth adds to the learning of others.”
⑷ Honest words: It makes you feel loved (Proverbs 24:26).
“An answer with an appropriate word is like a kiss.”
⑸Wise words: Heals a broken heart (Proverbs 12:18).
“There are those who speak rashly like the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is like medicine”