20071212 power of the spoken word

8/4/2019 20071212 Power of the Spoken Word

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POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD

A topical study: Blessings or Curses


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INTRODUCTION

A Bible Study

Presented and prepared by: Pastor Bob Adkins

On: December 12, 2007

All scriptures taken from the New American

Standard Bible (NASB) 1995 update


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MAIN TEXT

James 3:1-31 Let not many of you become teachers, mybrethren, knowing that as such we will incur astricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in manyways. If anyone does not stumble in what hesays, he is a perfect man, able to bridle thewhole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits intothe horses' mouths so that they will obey us, wedirect their entire body as well.


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MAIN TEXT

James 3:4-54 Look at the ships also, though they are sogreat and are driven by strong winds, are stilldirected by a very small rudder wherever theinclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also thetongue is a small part of the body, and yet itboasts of great things. See how great a forest isset aflame by such a small fire!


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MAIN TEXT

James 3:6-86 And the tongue is a fire, the very world ofiniquity; the tongue is set among our membersas that which defiles the entire body, and setson fire the course of our life, and is set on fireby hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds,of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamedand has been tamed by the human race. 8 Butno one can tame the tongue; it is a restless eviland full of deadly poison.


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MAIN TEXT

James 3:9-109 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and withit we curse men, who have been made in thelikeness of God; 10 from the same mouth comeboth blessing and cursing. My brethren, thesethings ought not to be this way.


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MAIN TEXT

James 3:1-1211 Does a fountain send out from the sameopening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can afig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vineproduce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.


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DEFINITION OF BLESSING

Original Greek: (ulgia, yoo-log-ee-ah);

divine favor, commendation (eulogy), adoration,praise, consecration, benefit, blessing , bounty, fairspeech.

In New Testament translated as:blessing(11), bountiful gift(2), bountifully(2),flattering speech(1)


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DEFINITION OF A CURSE

Original Greek (katara, kat-ar-ah);imprecation (to invoke evil on, to utter curses),

invoke a power to harm, execration (the act ofcursing or denouncing), curse In New Testament Translated as:

accursed(1), curse(3), cursed(1), cursing(1).


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INTRODUCTION TO JAMES 3

The believers James wrote to were havingproblems with their tongues (1:26; 2:12; 4:1,1112).

Of course, the tongue is not the problem; it isthe heart (v. 14; Matt. 12:3537).

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Jas 3:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


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WORDS REVEAL CHARACTER

Matthew 12:33-3733 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, ormake the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree isknown by its fruit. 34 "You brood of vipers, how can you,

being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaksout of that which fills the heart. 35 "The good manbrings out ofhis good treasure what is good; and the

evil man brings out ofhis evil treasure what is evil. 36

"But I tell you that every careless word that peoplespeak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of

judgment. 37 "For by your words you will be justified,and by your words you will be condemned."


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QUESTIONS FOR SELF ANALYSIS

In regards to what you say:1. Who is in control2. What will the consequences be3. What are my motives



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SELF ANALYSIS: QUESTION 1

Who is in control (14)? If your tongue is under Gods control, you will take

what you say seriously (v. 1), and your whole body

will be under His discipline (v. 2).

Just as a horse needs a rider holding the reins, and

a ship needs a pilot at the rudder, so your tongue

needs a master; and God is the only one who can

do the job.



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What will the consequences be (512)? Are you starting a fire that may get out of control

and do a lot of damage?

Are you turning loose a dangerous beast or

poisoning a refreshing spring?

Once your words are spoken, you cannot take them

back, so look ahead.



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What are my motives (1318)? Is there bitterness in your heart or envy?

Are you speaking from Gods wisdom or the wisdomof the world?

Are you a peacemaker or a troublemaker?

If your heart is right before God (Heb. 4:12), He will

use your words to produce the right kind of fruit.



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THE BELIEVERS REST

Hebrews 4:9-119 So there remains a Sabbath rest for thepeople of God. 10 For the one who has enteredHis rest has himself also rested from his works,as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us bediligent to enter that rest, so that no one willfall, through following the same example ofdisobedience.


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THE BELIEVERS REST

Hebrews 4:12-1312 For the word of God is living and active andsharper than any two-edged sword, andpiercing as far as the division of soul and spirit,of both joints and marrow, and able to judgethe thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 Andthere is no creature hidden from His sight, butall things are open and laid bare to the eyes ofHim with whom we have to do.


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THE BELIEVERS REST

Hebrews 4:14-1614 Therefore, since we have a great high priestwho has passed through the heavens, Jesusthe Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who cannotsympathize with our weaknesses, but One whohas been tempted in all things as we are, yetwithout sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near withconfidence to the throne of grace, so that wemay receive mercy and find grace to help intime of need.


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A LIVING SACRIFICE

Romans 12:1-21 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the merciesof God, to present your bodies a living and holysacrifice, acceptable to God, which is yourspiritual service of worship. 2 And do not beconformed to this world, but be transformed bythe renewing of your mind, so that you mayprove what the will of God is, that which is goodand acceptable and perfect.


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A LIVING SACRIFICE

Romans 12:3-53 For through the grace given to me I say toeveryone among you not to think more highly ofhimself than he ought to think; but to think soas to have sound judgment, as God has allottedto each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we havemany members in one body and all themembers do not have the same function, 5 sowe, who are many, are one body in Christ, andindividually members one of another.


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THINK ABOUT IT!

Pouring salt water into freshproduces salt water; and mixing

bad fruit with good fruit producesa bushel of rotten fruit. Likewise,mixing the contradictory speechofblessing and cursing will onlyproduce negative results..

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary(Jas 3:10-12).

Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers


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THINK ABOUT IT!

Of your unspoken words,

you are the master; of your

spoken words, the servant;

of your written words, the

slave.



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BLESSINGS VERSUS CURSES

BLESSINGS CURSES

Are Righteous

Are Positive

Are Commanded

Are of God

Pronounce Life

Are Evil

Are Negative

Are Condemned

Are of Satan

Pronounce Death


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A PRAYER FOR SANCTIFICATION

OF THE TONGUE

Psalms 141:1-4O LORD, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give earto my voice when I call to You! May my prayerbe counted as incense before You; The liftingup of my hands as the evening offering. Set aguard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watchover the door of my lips. Do not incline my heartto any evil thing, To practice deeds ofwickedness With men who do iniquity; And donot let me eat of their delicacies.

20071212 power of the spoken word

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