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Words are powerful, they matter, and they can hurt (cf. Prov. 18:21; Eph. 4:29). Uncontrolled speech can have a damaging effect on the life of a community, especially a community of believers, and it can also negatively affect the church’s witness. We are not only to Walk the Talk as individuals, but also corporately as the ‘body of Christ,’ which involves watching our mouths and sowing peace.

To reap a harvest of righteousness:

1. Don’t allow your tongue to run wild (vs. 1-12)

- Speech is one of the greatest powers God has given us (cf. Rom. 10:14-17)

Two facts about the power of our tongues:
a. Our tongues have the power to influence and direct

• Our own sinful desires and the outside pressures all around us seek to influence and control our speech
• We need the ‘strong hand’ of the Lord to guard our mouths and direct our hearts (cf. Ps. 141:3-4a; Prov. 10:19-21; Lk. 6:43-45)

b. Our tongues have the power to cause destruction

• Like a fire, an untamed tongue can destroy not only our own lives but the lives of others (cf. vs. 6; Prov. 18:21; 12:18; 16:28)
• Like the danger of a poisonous creature, an untamed tongue can cause devastating results (cf. vs. 8)

As unnatural as it is for both fresh water and salt water to flow from the same spring, a fig tree to bear olives, a grapevine to bear figs, so it is for praise and cursing to come out of a believer’s mouth. Those who walk the talk don’t let their tongues run wild.

2. Sow peace, not discord (vs. 13-18)

- Pure, life-giving speech is sourced in wisdom that is marked by deeds, and it is done in humility

Two kinds of wisdom:
a. Wisdom that does not come down from heaven (sourced in man)

• earthly, unspiritual, demonic
• produces bitter envy, selfish ambition, disorder and every evil practice

b. Wisdom that comes from heaven (sourced in God)

• pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere
• produces peacemakers who sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness

Righteous living flourishes and grows in a climate of spiritual peace. Through your words and actions, are you enhancing a culture of peace in your home and here at church? If not, beware that there are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him, and the last of the seven is “one who sows discord among brothers” (cf. Prov. 6:19).

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be!”

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