What practical steps can we take to honor God in our speech today? Verse Focus “They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth, which were the work of human hands.” (2 Chronicles 32:19) Why Our Words Matter • God hears every syllable (Psalm 139:4). • Our tongues can either “bless our Lord and Father” or “curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness” (James 3:9). • Jesus declares we will give account for “every careless word” (Matthew 12:36). Honoring God in speech is therefore a daily act of worship. Lessons from an Arrogant Army • Sennacherib’s messengers belittled the Lord, lumping Him in with idols of wood and stone. • Their contemptuous words revealed hearts filled with pride and unbelief. • God answered their blasphemy with decisive judgment (2 Chronicles 32:21). • Takeaway: how we speak about God—and anything made in His image—matters profoundly. Practical Steps to Honor God in Our Speech 1. Deliberately revere His name – Avoid casual or flippant uses of “God,” “Lord,” or “Jesus.” – Replace empty exclamations with thoughtful praise or silence. 2. Filter words through Scripture’s standard – Ask, “Does this line up with Philippians 4:8?” before speaking. – If it isn’t true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, or praiseworthy, leave it unsaid. 3. Trade criticism for blessing – Ephesians 4:29: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need.” – Speak solutions, encouragement, and hope rather than tearing down. 4. Practice humility in conversation – James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” – Listening well honors God by valuing others He created. 5. Confess and repent quickly when we slip – 1 John 1:9 promises cleansing when we acknowledge sinful speech. – Turning back immediately keeps hearts tender and tongues teachable. 6. Saturate your vocabulary with God’s Word – Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.” – Memorize verses; let them season everyday dialogue. 7. Cultivate gratitude – Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” – Thankfulness crowds out grumbling and honors the Giver. 8. Speak truth in love – Truth without love wounds; love without truth deceives (Ephesians 4:15). – Combine honesty with gentleness, reflecting Christ’s heart. 9. Use speech to point others to God’s greatness – Share testimonies of His faithfulness (Psalm 71:15–16). – Acknowledge His hand in daily blessings instead of crediting luck or self. Guarding the Heart Behind the Tongue • “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) • Nurture a heart of reverence through prayer, Scripture reading, and worship. • Remove inputs—media, conversations, environments—that inflame sinful speech. Speaking Scripture Over Our Lives • Replace self-demeaning or fearful words with God’s promises (Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:31). • Verbally affirm your identity in Christ to align feelings with biblical truth. Blessing and Building Up Others • Offer sincere compliments, not flattery (Proverbs 27:2). • Pray aloud for people when appropriate, letting them hear faith-filled petitions. • Share gospel hope simply and naturally; nothing honors God more than exalting His Son. Summary Sennacherib’s officers show how reckless words dishonor the Lord. By contrast, we honor God when our tongues revere His name, echo His Word, and build up those He loves. Filter every phrase through Scripture, keep the heart humble and grateful, and let speech become a daily offering that points everyone around us to the greatness of our living God. |
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