Sermon Notes

Introduction – The Soul Detox Journey Continues

You have the power to create life through your words.

You also have the ability to take life using the power of lethal language.

You have the power to slay giants and the power to lay down in front of them.

You have the power to move mountains and the power to curse them for being in your way.

The choice is yours. It’s all a matter of what you say and how you say it.

Groeschel, Craig. Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World (p. 70). (Function). Kindle Edition.

The Situation

As we delve deeper into the series and book Soul Detox by Craig Groeschel, this week the emphasis is centred around our speech and language.

This year, spiritual growth and fruitful relationships with our families, friends and fellow Christians will have a lot to do with how we speak and communicate with God, others and ourselves.

Do we truly appreciate the immense power of the words we speak and listen to?

Compared to other parts of the body in terms of sheer scale and size, the tongue seems insignificant to different parts, yet Solomon teaches us in the Bible that death and life are in the power of the tongue. (Pro 18:21)

6 Points to deal with Lethal Language

1. Don’t just watch our mouths, watch our HEARTS – Luke 6:45, Proverbs 21:23

2. Determine to listen more than aimless talk – Proverbs 18:2 & 7

3. Resolve to be a gossip killer, not spreader – Proverbs 20:19

4. Some things don’t need commentary – Proverbs 17:28

5. Remember the tone of our speech matters – Proverbs 15:1

6. Are you team construction or deconstruction? – Ephesians 4:6, Proverbs 18:21

Discussion Questions

1. How have you experienced the “life and death” power of words in your own life or relationships? (Pro 18:21)
2. James notes that we can tame all kinds of animals, but not the human tongue (James 3:7-8). Why do you think self-control in speech is so challenging?
3. How can the same mouth bless God and curse people who are made in the likeness of God? What practical steps can we take to avoid this contradiction? 
4. Paul encourages us to let no unwholesome talk come from our mouths, “but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Ephesians 4:29). How can we be more intentional about using our words for encouragement and edification?
5. Colossians 4:6 advises, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” What does “gracious” and “seasoned with salt” speech sound like in modern communication (e.g., social media, difficult conversations)?
6. Consider the acronym THINK before you speak: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? How would applying these questions change your daily interactions?