Pastor Gary Moritz
pastor@cityunited.church

INTRODUCTION

There are some big mouths in our culture today! The words we speak every day shape our life and our culture. Unmasking the nature of our words directly affects our quality of living − positively or negatively. Each of us must decide whether the words we speak will lead to life, success, and positive relationships or death, destruction, and painful memories. It is up to us and our big mouths!

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

“My Big Mouth” will teach us how to choose our words wisely to create the life we want through unmasking the power of our words. During these collections of talks, we will learn how the words we speak transform the life we live.

Resource Page for “My Big Mouth” Series.

The topics for this collection of talks are as follows:
Your Words Shape Your Identity
May 17 My Big Mouth - Kick Off Sunday
May 24 Your Words Shape Your Identity
May 31 The Truth Behind Cussing
June 7 Self-Talk that Honors God
June 14 The Deadly Speech in Anger and Conflict
June 21 Speaking with the Right Attitude
June 28 Speaking Lasting Words

Text: Ephesians 4:29 (CSB, New Testament)

TODAY’S TAKEAWAY:

Cussing always costs you something.

MY BIG MOUTH WEEK #3:

The Truth Behind Cussing

“Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed,” —Matthew 26:74

“No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” —Ephesians 4:29

I. GOD FORBIDS

Reveal Answer

LANGUAGE.

“But now, put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.” —Colossians 3:8

“Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.” —James 3:10

Curse words fall into two different attacks against God:

1. Attacks against God’s

   Reveal Answer
   as Creator

   “Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God, because the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses his name.” —Exodus 20:7

2. Attacks against the

   Reveal Answer
   of God’s creation

   “3But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. 4Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. 5For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” —Ephesians 5:3-5
   

II. WE MUST BE

Reveal Answer

WITH OUR WORDS.

“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” —James 1:19

“Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” —Ecclesiastes 5:2

III. WE MUST HAVE

Reveal Answer

WITH OUR WORDS.

Look, I know this is very hard. We live in an emotional, volatile world where people say what they want and do what they want, and they think they are getting away with it. There is no excuse for a lack of self-control.

“The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.” —Proverbs 13:3

“22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.” —Galatians 5:22-23

“I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.” —Psalm 119:11

IV. WE MUST

Reveal Answer

, NO “IDLE” WORDS.

“I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.” —Matthew 12:36

“Idle” means careless or worthless. ~ Think of a vehicle running idle. It doesn’t go anywhere, just like idle words do not go anywhere meaning they do not add value.

This would include:
-Lying words (Proverbs 12:22).
-Gossiping words (Proverbs 16:28).
-Complaining words (Exodus 16:8).
-Bitter words (Ephesians 4:31).
-Critical words (Galatians 5:15).

V. WE MUST SEEK GOD’S

Reveal Answer

, NOT CULTURE’S.

“15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world ​— ​the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions ​— ​is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17And the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does the will of God remains forever.” —1 John 2:15-18

Four Reasons Why Public Profanity Hurts You Professionally:

1. Profanity alienates people.
2. Profanity can hurt your brand.
3. Profanity isn’t effective.
4. Profanity is unnecessary.
   (For more information on this topic, see the Michael Hyatt article on the “My Big Mouth” Resource Page, www.cityunited.church/mybigmouth)

“for you were bought at a price. So glorify God with your body.” —1 Corinthians 6:20

VI. WE MUST FOCUS ON THE

Reveal Answer

.

“33Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.” —Matthew 12:33-35

Take the 30-Day No-Bad-Words Challenge

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, ​if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy ​dwell on these things.” —Philippians 4:8

Conclusion:

Are the words you use good or bad? It’s that simple!

Remember -

Cussing Always Costs You Something

[Click here for this week’s Group Guide]

Missing a fill-in? No problem! Just select the email option below and the notes will arrive to you all filled in.