Made with Love
LOVE WITH YOUR WORDS
“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire…”
James 3:2-6a NLT
My mouth and my words direct where I go.
My mouth can destroy what I have and those around me.
My mouth displays who I really am.
“Words flow out of what fills the heart.” Matt. 12:34 NJB
“Jesus called the crowd together again and said, Pay attention and try to understand what I mean. The food that you put into your mouth doesn't make you unclean and unfit to worship God. The bad words that come out of your mouth are what make you unclean."
Mark 7:14-15 CEV
1. LOVE WITH HONEST WORDS
“… speaking the truth in love…:” Ephesians 4:15a NIV
“An open rebuke is better than hidden love!” Proverbs 27:5 NLT
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6NIV
2. LOVE WITH CAREFUL WORDS
“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
“A gossip separates close friends.” Proverbs 16:28b NIV
“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.” Proverbs 21:23 MSG
3. LOVE WITH WORDS THAT BUILD UP
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs…” Ephesians 4:29 NIV
THINK. Think before you speak.
T – is it Truthful? Before you say something is it truthful? Is it the whole truth
and nothing but the truth? Is it twisted a little bit?
H – is it Helpful? Or is it going to harm?
I – is it Inspirational? Is it going to build up or tear down?
N – is it Necessary? Talking too much. Some things aren’t necessarily wrong to say, they’re just not necessary.
K – is it Kind? Love is kind.
THIS WEEK I WILL CHOOSE:
Kind words: Transform worry to joy.
“Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.”
Proverbs 12:25 TEV
Gentle words: Break through anger.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Pleasant words: Encourage learning.
“Pleasant words promote instruction.” Proverbs 16:21b NIV
Honest words: Make us feel loved.
“An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” Proverbs 24:26
Wise words: Heal broken hearts.
“Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal.” Proverbs 12:18 TEV
THIS WEEK, I NEED TO SAY…
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