Life and Death in the Power of the Tongue – The Restoration of Speech
VBC Albuquerque · Nov 6, 2023
This sermon focuses on the critical importance of speech in the Christian life, based on Proverbs 18:21 that life and death are in the power of the tongue. The purpose of restoring speech is to make our words worthy of being heard, trusted, and received. The pastor explains that everyone sins in their speech, causing serious consequences such as loss of friendship, misunderstanding, and loss of trust.
The sermon begins by emphasizing that no topic is more necessary and important than speech, because speech is the expression of one's inner thoughts and understanding, and it is the most important means of communication between people. The pastor points out that Jesus teaches in Matthew 12:36-37 that on the day of judgment, each person will be judged by their own words. Therefore, if we truly believe and understand this teaching, our daily speech will certainly change.
The purpose of restoring speech is connected to the purpose of speech itself, which is to make our words worthy of being heard, trusted, and received. In order for speech to benefit the listener, it must be a source of cool water in thirst, and fruit that provides food and nourishment. If we speak but no one listens, or if the listener does not believe, then our words are of no benefit. When speech and relationships are not restored, in the future no one will want to listen to anyone, and no one will trust anyone.
The reason restoration is necessary is that all of us stumble in our speech and commit faults and sins. James teaches that although humans can tame all animals, no one can tame the tongue. The example of Peter and the disciples, who promised never to leave the Lord but then denied Him three times, demonstrates why speech must be restored. The sermon lists the consequences of careless speech: making the listener angry, losing friendship, causing misunderstanding and conflict, and making one's own speech no longer worthy of being heard, trusted, or learned from.
To restore speech requires two essential things: first, to acknowledge one's own fault with the other person and ask for forgiveness, which requires humility and courage; second, to forgive the person who committed the fault, which requires love and patience. The pastor emphasizes that we must forgive even if the person at fault does not acknowledge their fault, just as God forgave us while we were still sinners and enemies. Finally, to increase the power to nourish the character of speech, we need to pray, listen to feedback from those who hear us, and intentionally change.