How to Glorify God With Your Words

Colossians 3:17 (NLT) “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” 

How can we learn to speak as representatives of the Lord Jesus?  There are five types of speech that Christians must avoid, and five types of speech that Christians must practice.  Tomorrow we will look at the latter.  Today, FIVE TYPES OF SPEECH CHRISTIANS MUST AVOID.

ONE:  Curse words.  How do you know if a word is a curse word?  Curse words are words that adults don’t want their children to hear; words that parents do not want their children to say; words that you would not hear on a Disney movie; words that the preacher would never say in a sermon.  Colossians 3:9 says, “Put filthy language from your mouth.” 

TWO:  Corrupt language.  Corrupt or dirty language usually involves talking about sexual things in an inappropriate way.  Ephesians 5:3 says, “Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.” 

THREE:  Cut-downs.  A cut-down or insult is a degrading comment or a hurtful name.  Matthew 5:22 says, “Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.” 

FOUR:  Criticism.  Criticism is pointing out a person’s faults or flaws in an unloving way, either to their face or behind their back.  James 4:11 says, “Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters.” 

FIVE:  Complaining.  To complain is to express dissatisfaction about a person or a circumstance.  Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” 

Words are not neutral or insignificant.  They are very powerful.  "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Pr 18:21)."  With every word you speak, you either attract people to Jesus, or push them away.