Right Words, Wrong Spirit 2/8/26
Philippians 2:14-16 njkv 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
❓When do you find it hard not to complain or to be negative❓
⭐ One thing we see here is, “Living in the midst of a crooked and perverse people is HARD!”💥 It’s going to make the disciple of Christ want to complain and murmur about the things we see happening and going on around us.
➤ It’s hard not to become like the world around us.
- Murmuring and complaining.
- Speaking harmful things about people.
- It fills our life with faults we cannot see.
- IT MAKES OUR LIGHT GO OUT. WE DO NOT SHINE ANYMORE. We become like everyone else.
What does the Bible say about not taming the tongue?
1. We lose the power, witness and effectiveness we have as believers. We become unChristlike. vJames 1:26) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
2. It quenches the Spirit and opens our life to anger, anxiety and depression. vProverbs 15:4) A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
3. It gets us into trouble. We heap self inflicted problems on ourselves that we can’t control and we didn’t ask for by not holding our tongues. vProverbs 21:23) Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
4. We become discouraged and lose our grace. We cause others to become as discouraging and as ungraceful as we are. vEphesians 4:29) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
5. Thinking we are helping, we only make matters worse. We cause problems! We become more of the problem than the solution. vJames 3:5-6) 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
6. We may not commit the acts ourselves, but we will still be held accountable for the harm our words cause. vMatthew 12:36-37) I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
What does this teach us about being a Christian and how we use our words?(James 3: 13-18) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
I. It is not OK to lie against the truth! v14) 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
➤ We must identify the spirit that is using us! If we have bitterness:
- It is not OK to let the devil use our words! We can say the right things but out of the wrong spirit! Satan used the Scripture!
- To be bitter and envious against others. Despise their power, authority, position.
- To be self seeking! To choose what we believe over all others, even over God’s will. (Want to control them!)
- It is not OK to speak evil and condemn others as Christians.
vJames 3:16) 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
👉 ****) If you find yourself talking bad about someone this week, stop and say something good!
II. It is not OK to murmur and complain like everyone else.
- Murmuring and complaining makes us like the world.
A. It hides the light of Christ in us! Philippians 2:15 “That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke…” —
B. Our pride is exalted! We exalt our own feelings 1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…”
C. A fountain cannot yield both salt and fresh water! James 3:10) Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
➤ 👉 ****) Think twice about what you want to say once and then you might not say it at all!Bridle your tongue!
III. Identify the spirit that uses your words! Do not lie against the truth! ( 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.)
The truth!> It can turn truth into a lie.
- We can say we believe one thing but preach another. ( The devil believes but does not follow God with his will) Worldly, sensual. vJames 2:9)
- Mislead people. (Satan using Scripture) Demonic v 2 Corinthians 2:11:14-15) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. And His ministers ,,,,,
Making things worse and stirring up strife by arguing with those who won’t change their mind.
- You don’t have to compromise
- > People hated Jesus because they couldn’t control or change His truth.
⭐ 💥 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
1. See both sides
2. Willing to admit wrongs as well as rights.
3. Merciful
4. More neutral! The middle truth.
5 MAKE PEACE when possible. They went away mad! But your words can cause a change of heart.
