Wordsto

Delete

From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of

his hands rewards him.Prov. 12:14

The Key to Success: Harness the Dragon

Words to Delete1. Remember the PO-PO Principle:

(Put Off, Put On)

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made

new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God

in true righteousness and holiness.Eph. 4:22-24

Delete Arrogant Words1. Arrogant words…• Exalt us over others• Look down on others• Make us look impressiveThe Cost of Arrogance: Rebuke and Cursing by GodPs. 119:21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed

and who stray from your commands.The Cure: Fear of the Judgment of God

Rom. 11:20 Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.

Delete Arrogant Words2. Examples• Boasting (speaking with excessive pride)• Judging (finding fault with openly)• Mocking (making fun of)• Cursing (calling on the supernatural to bring

others harm)• Reviling (abusive language)

3. Instead, speak of/to others with humility/respect

BoastingThings we shouldn’t boast about:• Ourselves (Prov. 27:2)• Tomorrow (Prov. 27:1)• How valuable we were to God

Rom. 3:27-28 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain

that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

BoastingThe Cure: Boast in the LordJer. 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: “Let not the

wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his

riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD,

who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD.

BoastingThings we should boast about:• The cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14)• The perseverance and faith of othersII Th. 1:3-4 We ought always to thank God for you,

brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the

persecutions and trials you are enduring.

BoastingThings we should boast about:• The cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14)• The perseverance and faith of others• Things that show our weakness

II Cor. 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my

weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

JudgingWhat we tend to judge and shouldn’t:• The spirituality of others relative to our own

Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like

other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a

tenth of all I get.’

JudgingWhat we tend to judge and shouldn’t:• The spirituality of others relative to our own• Another person’s views on disputable matters• The relative worth of people

The Problem: We take God’s place when we judge the wrong things

James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—

who are you to judge your neighbor?

JudgingThe Cost: God’s will judge us like we judge others

Matt. 7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged.The Cure: 1. Solve your own life not everyone else’s2. Judge the right things• The spiritual truth of what is taught

I Cor. 10:15 I speak to sensible people;judge for yourselves what I say.

• The measure of faith God has given you (Rom. 12:3)

Delete Angry Words1. Examples• Angry outbursts (esp. with blocked goals)• Bitter words (expressing deep resentment)• Quarreling over offenses or dominance

2. Instead, speak gently and patiently(which basically means we put up with a lot)

Dealing with Angry Words1. It is honorable to avoid a quarrel (Prov. 20:3)• Therefore overlook hurtful words (Prov. 12:16)• Return a gentle answer (Prov. 15:1)• Work on developing self-control (Prov. 16:32)2. Realize human anger does not accomplish the

righteous life God wants (James 1:19-20)• Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger• Anger and angry words are to be stopped and

replaced (Eph. 4:31-32)

Delete Deceptive Words1. Deceptive words…• Give an intentional wrong impression of reality• Are wrong and hurt others2. Examples• Lying• Flattery• Slander• False witness (lying testimony)3. Instead, speak the truth in love

Lying1. Deceiving is characteristic of Satan, the deceiver2. We can lie by• Adding things to God’s word• Failure to keep our word or speaking falsely• Charm (Prov. 31:30)3. Since God does not lie, those who belong to him

should not.4. People intend to profit from lies, but what they

get turns foul or is a trap (Prov. 20:17, 21:6)

Delete Indiscreet Words1. Examples• Divulging information we should not• Situationally tasteless speech (Prov. 11:22)• Hasty or reckless words• Rude words2. Instead, maintain discretion• Think before we speak• Keep confidences• Speak tastefully

Delete Divisive Words1. Examples• Gossip• Grumbling• Arguing over issues

2. Instead, speak “unity”Eph. 4:2,3 Be completely humble and gentle; be

patient, bearing with one another in love.3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit

through the bond of peace.

GossipA gossip is a person who habitually reveals:• Personal or sensational facts about others• Rumors or scandals• Reports of an intimate natureThe Cost: Terminating friendships and unending quarrels (Prov. 26:20)The Cure: Replace your focus and your friends• Focus: Stay busy with your own life• Friends: Avoid people who talk too much

GrumblingEspecially seen in two situations:• When we have to deal with one another• When we have to serveThe Cost: Death to grumblers (I Cor. 10:6-11)The Cure: Drop it!

Phil. 2:14-15 Do everything without complainingor arguing, so that you may become blameless

and pure, children of God without fault ina crooked and depraved generation, in which

you shine like stars in the universe

Delete Shameful Words1. Examples• Obscenity (Filthy Language)• Coarse Jesting (Witty/vulgar)• Swearing (invoking the name of God in an oath)• Blasphemy (insulting or lack of reverence for God)• Profanity (treating something sacred with abuse)

2. Resist the desire to be impressive

3. Instead, speak what is gracious/attractive