October 11 – 17, 2008

THE POWER OF YOUR WORDS

In this lesson, you will learn the power in words, the importance of controlling your tongue, and how faith is released by believing and speaking.

I. The power of your words – Proverbs 18:20-21.

A. Verse 21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

1. Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

2. Your life will be filled with the fruit of the words you speak.

II. The importance of controlling your tongue – James 3:2-12.

A. James 3:2 – “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect (mature) man, able also to bridle the whole body.”

B. Verse 3 – The bit in the horse’s mouth is like the tongue. It controls the whole body.

C. Verse 4 – The rudder of a ship is like the tongue. It directs the whole ship.

D. Verses 5-12 – The tongue must be brought under control. To bless and not curse.

III. Faith is released by believing and speaking.

A. Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26 – Each of these verses start with, “Then God said.” We need to be “Then God said” people.

B. 2 Corinthians 4:13 – “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believe and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.”

C. Mark 11:22-24 – Have faith in God. Believe what you say will come to pass and you will have what you say.

D. Romans 10:8-10 – For salvation you must believe and confess.

E. Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Do you say phrases that have the words “fear” and “death” in them?
• Are you walking out words you have spoken in the past?
• Is God the Lord of your mouth?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

This week find an accountability partner and ask them to listen to your conversation and hold you accountable to use words of life and not of fear and death.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”