What Not to Say – When Entering God's House (1)
VBC Albuquerque · Apr 6, 2025
This sermon teaches about guarding our speech and keeping vows when entering God's house. Solomon counsels us to speak slowly, think before speaking, and say less so we can hear God's voice. Our words have great power to either destroy or build up human lives.
The opening section presents the main theme of the sermon: when we enter God's house to worship and fellowship, we must guard our speech with utmost care. Scripture teaches us to speak slowly and less so we can listen to God's voice. Solomon uses the second-person address "you" ten times in Ecclesiastes 5 to directly teach about our attitude, actions, speech, and thoughts when entering God's house. God's house is not merely a physical building but the place where God's presence dwells when His people gather to worship and learn His Word.
The second section develops the theological argument about the power of words through specific Scripture references. Our words are the expression of our inner thoughts and feelings; as we see footsteps revealing intentions, so hearing someone's words reveals their inner heart. Words spoken without thought are like a sword that pierces through, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18). Words can cause irreparable harm: destroying friendships, dividing families, damaging someone's honor. Once a word is spoken, it no longer belongs to the speaker but to those who heard it. A sword can be retrieved, but a word cannot be taken back. The sermon cites the story of King David and Michal's mocking words, as well as the tragic story of soccer player Andres Escobar who was killed because he was cursed after making an own goal in a match.
The third section emphasizes that Scripture clearly teaches what God hates regarding speech. Among the seven things God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19), three relate to words: a proud eye, a lying tongue, and a false witness. Although words can cause harm, they also have the power to encourage, comfort, lift up, exhort, and restore people. Christians must exercise the positive power of words with everyone: children, spouses, siblings, coworkers, neighbors, and church members. Ephesians 4:29-32 teaches that believers must put away all bitterness, wrath, and anger, replacing them with words that build up spoken in love.
The fourth section addresses vows and promises to God. Scripture teaches us to be slow to make vows lest we trap ourselves. Solomon emphasizes: "When you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not delay to fulfill it" and "It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." When God promised Abraham, He demonstrated His eternal commitment by passing between the divided animals, implying that if He failed to keep His promise, He himself would be cut in two. More importantly, because Abraham's descendants failed to keep the covenant, the Second Person of the Trinity (Jesus Christ) had to die to redeem humanity. Since God is the One who keeps His promises, those who believe in and follow Him must also be people who keep their promises.
The final section applies the message to the congregation's actual life when entering God's house. We must remember to guard our hearts to be fully conscious that this is a sacred place for worshiping God. We need to guard our speech, not thinking that many words please God. Rather, we should speak less and listen more, preparing our hearts to hear God's voice of teaching and comfort. Finally, we must keep our vows to others and to God. These three things—guarding our speech, speaking less and listening more, and keeping our promises—will help us truly worship, have fellowship, learn, and be encouraged when entering God's house.