The Secret Life of Words – Part 1

Introduction

Words continue to live the time they are spoken, heard or thought.

We are Held Accountable for Our Words

Matthew 12:33–37 

God pays attention to what say, so we should pay attention to what we say.

Careless Words are not Inconsequential

Careless = Argos (Greek)

• “not working” (unemployed)
  • Matthew 20:3–6 

• “lazy, refuse to work as a life-style” (lazy)
  • 1 Timothy 5:13
  • Titus 1:10–12 

• “useless, ineffective, not accomplishing anything” (unproductive)
  • Matthew 12:36 
  • James 2:20
  • 2 Peter 1:8 

• “indifferent, careless” (unintentional)
  • Matthew 12:36 
  • Speak with a purpose. Be silent with a purpose.

Why Does God Care about Our Words?

Words govern aspects of our lives.

• Ephesians 4:29 
• Ephesians 5:4 

• Mark 11:23 

• James 1:19 

• 2 Corinthians 4:13

• Philippians 4:6

• Psalm 107:2 

• Proverbs 13:3

• Proverbs 15:4 

• Proverbs 18:21 
• Proverbs 21:23 
• Proverbs 12:25 
• Proverbs 10:19 
• Proverbs 12:18 
• Proverbs 18:13 
• Proverbs 15:1 
• Proverbs 11:13

We represent the state.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17–20
• We are ambassadors.
• As ambassadors, our words reflect the law, policy, position, and status of our home country.
• As ambassadors, our thinking and our speaking should reflect where our citizenship resides (Philippians 3:20)
• Our personal status is always the status of our citizenship, not residence. (Matthew 6:19–20)
• Matthew 6:31–33 

© Joshua D. Smith, Ph.D., 2022