Scripture Text: James 3:1-12
Memory Verse: “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:37
Lesson Aim: To examine the power of our words and the impact they have on our lives.
Key Points - Words are among the most powerful things in the universe. - Death and life are in the power of the tongue. - Through Christ we have the ability to control our tongue and speak words of life and not death. - Speak your future and change the course of your life by speaking the Word of God.
Words are among the most powerful things in the universe.[1] They are the carriers of faith or fear and they produce after their kind. In Proverbs 18:21 we read, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” When we were born again, we confessed Jesus as our Savior (Romans 10:10). As a result of believing in our heart and speaking the words, “Jesus, forgive me of my sins, cleanse me and come into my heart,” we receive eternal life.
In Revelation 12:11 we read, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” The words we speak greatly affect our actions, our entire body, and also determine our future! “According to findings of leading neurosurgeons, the speech center in the brain has total dominion over all the other nerves in the body. The neurosurgeons’ findings confirm what James wrote almost 2,000 years ago. If a man can control his tongue, he can control his own body!”[2] Therefore, it is in our best interest not to speak idle words or negative words of fear, doubt and discouragement. Instead, speak the Word of God.
Idle words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. It is important to choose our words wisely because careless words can be extremely damaging. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before we speak, remember that words are like fire – you can neither control nor reverse the damage.
Through the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to control our tongue and speak words of life and not death. Job 22:28 says, “You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.” What have you been decreeing? Have you been making a decree of fear, sickness, etc., or do you decree years of complete health, strength and youth as was afforded Moses? Be very careful of what you say because it shall be established for you.
However, before we can do this, we must take dominion and authority over self and bring the tongue into submission to the Holy Spirit. When God placed man on this earth, He gave him the power to rule over his spirit. He gave man the power to think for himself and to act according to his will. Man relinquished that power when he yielded to Satan and disobeyed God. Now, through Jesus Christ, that power and authority to rule over our spirit has been restored to us.
Take control over your tongue. Begin to fill your mouth with faith-filled words and the powerful Word of God. As you begin to speak it forth, you will set the course of your life to live in victory. Change the course of your life by speaking the Word of God. Speak your future by releasing the creative power of God’s Word into your circumstances and be an overcomer!
[1] Charles Capps, The Tongue, A Creative Force, (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Harrison House, 1976), 1.
[2] Morris Cerullo, God’s Victorious Army Bible – Spiritual Warfare Edition II (San Diego, California: Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, 1989), 483.
Questions and Discussion
- What trouble is the tongue capable of producing? James 3:6; 4:11; Proverbs 10:19; 18:8; Ecclesiastes 10:11-13
- Why should we control the words of our mouth? Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 12:37; Proverbs 21:23; James 1:26
- In the following Scriptures, identify the speech patterns we should develop that will release the power of God’s Word into our circumstances. Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 12:13-14; Mark 11:23; Philippians 4:13
- What do these scriptures tell us about the creative power of our words? Mark 11:21; Acts 3:6-8; 1 Samuel 17:8-11; Mark 5:25-29
- How do we learn to speak faith-filled words? Matthew 17:20; John 15:7; Ephesians 5:1; 2 Timothy 1:13; Hebrews 10:23
- Discuss the effects your words (negative or positive) have had on a situation coming to pass.
- Practice taking the following “Gos-Pills” daily for areas of your life where you need to experience change.
Physical Sickness – 3 John 2; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalm 103:3; Isaiah 53:5
Financial Trouble – Psalm 23:1; Joshua 1:8; Philippians 4:19; Luke 6:38
Confidence – Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37; Zechariah 4:6
Peace – Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6, 7; Psalm 37:1
Loneliness – Psalm 46:1; 1 Peter 5:7; John 14:18; Matthew 28:20
Discouragement – John 14:1; Philippians 1:6; Psalm 31:24; Isaiah 51:11