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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie - Talk This Way

July 27, 2025 | S25 E178 | 29:0

Greg Laurie - Talk This Way
Join Pastor Greg Laurie for a time of encouragement, worship, and Bible study.
#inActive #Wordswespeak #Confession/PowerofWords #Culture #SpiritualGrowth #Encouragement #Stress #Hurting #PositiveThoughts #NegativeThoughts

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Harvest with Pastor Greg Laurie | Greg Laurie - Talk This Way | July 27, 2025
  • ...
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  • Greg laurie: you know, during worship, you've got your hands
  • 00:00:04.127 --> 00:00:05.962
  • In your pockets or your arms are folded.
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  • You're not singing even though we put lyrics on screens, and we
  • 00:00:09.299 --> 00:00:13.169
  • Encourage you to worship and you look at someone with their hands
  • 00:00:13.269 --> 00:00:14.370
  • Lifted up, you say, "fanatic."
  • 00:00:15.238 --> 00:00:18.208
  • And then you go to the football game and you paint your face in
  • 00:00:18.208 --> 00:00:22.378
  • The colors of your team.
  • 00:00:22.378 --> 00:00:24.614
  • And when your team scores a touchdown, you flip out,
  • 00:00:24.614 --> 00:00:28.418
  • Screaming, yelling, setting yourself on fire, everything.
  • 00:00:28.418 --> 00:00:32.956
  • And then you look at someone who lifts one hand to the lord and
  • 00:00:32.956 --> 00:00:35.391
  • You call him a fanatic?
  • 00:00:35.391 --> 00:00:37.560
  • Come on now, you have passion for other things, right?
  • 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:41.498
  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪
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  • ♪ this is the day, ♪
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  • ♪ the day when life begins. ♪♪
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  • Greg: our words really matter.
  • 00:01:06.523 --> 00:01:08.391
  • What we say impacts people.
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  • What others say to us affects us in a great way.
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  • It's been said, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but
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  • Words will never hurt me."
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  • Actually, that's not true.
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  • Words really can hurt you.
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  • You can be deeply wounded by words, can't you?
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  • Some of us remember maybe in our childhood that something was
  • 00:01:29.212 --> 00:01:32.649
  • Said to us it could have been by a parent, could have been a
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  • Teacher, or somebody else.
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  • They told you, "you're unattractive, you're overweight,
  • 00:01:37.587 --> 00:01:41.257
  • You're a failure, you'll never amount to anything," and we sort
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  • Of carried that with us even into our adult years.
  • 00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:47.697
  • Then again, someone might have said to us, "i see potential
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  • In you.
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  • I think you're special.
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  • I believe in you," and then those words of encouragement
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  • Carried us on.
  • 00:01:56.773 --> 00:01:58.107
  • Maybe there were words from a parent, a grandparent, a
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  • Teacher, a coach, a pastor.
  • 00:02:01.177 --> 00:02:03.546
  • Words matter.
  • 00:02:03.546 --> 00:02:05.548
  • Proverbs 18:21 says, "death and life are in the power of the
  • 00:02:05.548 --> 00:02:09.652
  • Tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
  • 00:02:09.652 --> 00:02:13.456
  • This has even been proven in science.
  • 00:02:13.456 --> 00:02:16.826
  • Neuroscience has proven the impact words can have.
  • 00:02:16.826 --> 00:02:21.030
  • I read an interesting article with the title, "the most
  • 00:02:21.030 --> 00:02:23.766
  • Dangerous word in the world."
  • 00:02:23.766 --> 00:02:27.036
  • They wrote, and i quote, "if you were to put--we--if we were to
  • 00:02:27.036 --> 00:02:30.540
  • Put you in an mri scanner and take a video of your brain and
  • 00:02:30.540 --> 00:02:34.210
  • Flash the word 'no' for less than one second, there would be
  • 00:02:34.210 --> 00:02:38.081
  • A sudden release of dozens of stress-producing hormones and
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  • Neurotransmitters.
  • 00:02:43.286 --> 00:02:44.787
  • These chemicals immediately interrupt the normal function of
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  • Your brain.
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  • They impair logic, reason, and communication.
  • 00:02:48.992 --> 00:02:52.095
  • Yet," the article continues, "positive words such as peace
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  • And love--" "peace and love, dude."
  • 00:02:55.732 --> 00:02:59.202
  • "positive words such as peace and love can alter the
  • 00:02:59.202 --> 00:03:02.071
  • Expression of genes, strengthening areas of the
  • 00:03:02.071 --> 00:03:05.375
  • Frontal lobes promoting the brain's cognitive
  • 00:03:05.375 --> 00:03:09.279
  • Functioning," end quote.
  • 00:03:09.279 --> 00:03:10.613
  • Isn't that interesting?
  • 00:03:10.613 --> 00:03:11.981
  • So, words really do matter.
  • 00:03:11.981 --> 00:03:14.751
  • Proverbs 25, verse 11 says, "the right word at the right time is
  • 00:03:14.751 --> 00:03:18.955
  • Like precious gold set in silver."
  • 00:03:18.955 --> 00:03:22.191
  • And i would add to that fact the wrong word at the wrong time can
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  • Be devastating.
  • 00:03:25.628 --> 00:03:27.163
  • We've all heard stories of young people who've literally taken
  • 00:03:27.163 --> 00:03:31.100
  • Their own lives because they were bullied online where people
  • 00:03:31.100 --> 00:03:34.570
  • Said horrible and cruel things to them after they posted a
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  • Picture or something else.
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  • Let me just say young people, if you post something and people
  • 00:03:39.742 --> 00:03:42.979
  • Hate on you, these people don't matter.
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  • Who cares?
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  • They live in their mother's basement, okay?
  • 00:03:47.817 --> 00:03:51.054
  • They don't even use their real names.
  • 00:03:51.054 --> 00:03:52.822
  • Who cares what some random person says about you?
  • 00:03:52.822 --> 00:03:56.225
  • But anyway, but it shows the power of words.
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  • Don't listen to their words, listen to the words of god who
  • 00:04:00.330 --> 00:04:03.066
  • Loves you and not the words of people who don't.
  • 00:04:03.066 --> 00:04:08.237
  • By the way, one of my greatest pleasures in life, i've told you
  • 00:04:08.237 --> 00:04:11.007
  • This before, is to block people.
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  • Not just delete comments, block people.
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  • I love it.
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  • You know, they come in with this hateful vitriol in their posts,
  • 00:04:19.349 --> 00:04:23.720
  • I say, "goodbye."
  • 00:04:23.720 --> 00:04:25.355
  • I wish i could do it in real life.
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  • Wouldn't that be cool?
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  • Just blocked and they disappear.
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  • I don't know.
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  • Okay, more people have died by words than any weapon ever
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  • Devised by man.
  • 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:39.202
  • I mean, think about this, dedicated to god, our words can
  • 00:04:39.202 --> 00:04:44.140
  • Be a powerful force for good.
  • 00:04:44.140 --> 00:04:46.676
  • Left unchecked and especially when yielded to the enemy, the
  • 00:04:46.676 --> 00:04:50.046
  • Devil, our words can do great harm.
  • 00:04:50.046 --> 00:04:52.815
  • So, let's see what the bible says about our words and
  • 00:04:52.815 --> 00:04:56.052
  • Our tongue.
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  • James chapter 3, verse 1. i'm reading down to verse 7.
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  • This is the new living translation, "dear brothers and
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  • Sisters," i would underline that.
  • 00:05:03.860 --> 00:05:06.262
  • I'll come back to it.
  • 00:05:06.262 --> 00:05:07.630
  • "dear brothers and sisters," or another way to translate it,
  • 00:05:07.630 --> 00:05:10.266
  • Dear fellow christians, so these words are addressed
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  • To believers.
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  • He goes on, "not many of you should become teachers in the
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  • Church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
  • 00:05:18.007 --> 00:05:21.110
  • Indeed, we all make mistakes.
  • 00:05:21.110 --> 00:05:23.012
  • For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and
  • 00:05:23.012 --> 00:05:26.082
  • We could also control ourselves in every other way.
  • 00:05:26.082 --> 00:05:29.352
  • We can make large horses go wherever they want by means of a
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  • Small bit in their mouth.
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  • And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot
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  • Chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.
  • 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:40.997
  • In the same way," writes james, "the tongue is a small thing and
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  • It makes grand speeches.
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  • But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.
  • 00:05:46.502 --> 00:05:50.540
  • And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame
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  • Of fire.
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  • It's a whole of wickedness, corrupting your entire body.
  • 00:05:54.744 --> 00:05:58.514
  • It can be set on fire or set your whole life on fire, and it
  • 00:05:58.514 --> 00:06:03.019
  • Is set on fire by hell itself.
  • 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:05.254
  • People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and
  • 00:06:05.254 --> 00:06:07.990
  • Fish, but no one can tame the tongue.
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  • It's restless and evil, full of deadly poison."
  • 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:14.464
  • We'll stop there.
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  • So, what do we learn about the tongue?
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  • Point number one, if you're taking notes, what you say
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  • Reveals who you are.
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  • What you say reveals who you are.
  • 00:06:22.572 --> 00:06:24.574
  • Verse 2, "if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect
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  • And control ourselves in every other way."
  • 00:06:29.445 --> 00:06:32.181
  • In many ways, the tongue, or your words, is a barometer of
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  • Your spiritual maturity.
  • 00:06:36.953 --> 00:06:39.622
  • Socrates once said to a young student, quote, "speak friend,
  • 00:06:39.622 --> 00:06:44.093
  • So i might see you," end quote.
  • 00:06:44.093 --> 00:06:46.729
  • Effectively socrates is saying, "speak, and i'll be able to
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  • Evaluate you."
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  • If your life is transformed as a follower of jesus and your words
  • 00:06:53.135 --> 00:06:57.373
  • Will be transformed as well.
  • 00:06:57.373 --> 00:06:59.642
  • The reality of your faith is demonstrated in what you say and
  • 00:06:59.642 --> 00:07:04.180
  • Also what you don't say.
  • 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:06.883
  • Jesus says a good person produces good things from the
  • 00:07:06.883 --> 00:07:09.952
  • Treasury of a good heart and an evil person produces evil things
  • 00:07:09.952 --> 00:07:14.490
  • From the treasury of an evil heart.
  • 00:07:14.490 --> 00:07:16.692
  • What you say flows from what is in your heart.
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  • So, whatever is in your heart will ultimately come out in
  • 00:07:21.631 --> 00:07:24.000
  • Your words.
  • 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:25.334
  • And the fact of the matter is one day we will be judged by
  • 00:07:25.334 --> 00:07:29.605
  • What we said, according to the scripture.
  • 00:07:29.605 --> 00:07:32.775
  • Matthew 15:19 jesus says, "every careless word that people speak,
  • 00:07:32.775 --> 00:07:38.648
  • They'll give an accounting of it--for it on the day of
  • 00:07:38.648 --> 00:07:41.617
  • Judgment, for by your words you'll be justified and by your
  • 00:07:41.617 --> 00:07:46.255
  • Words you will be condemned."
  • 00:07:46.255 --> 00:07:47.857
  • In fact, the first sin committed after the fall was a sin of
  • 00:07:47.857 --> 00:07:53.362
  • The tongue.
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  • When questioned about eating the forbidden fruit, adam quickly
  • 00:07:55.231 --> 00:07:58.901
  • Blames god and says, "well, it's the woman you gave me,"
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  • Effectively slandering god.
  • 00:08:02.772 --> 00:08:04.607
  • Now, i ask you to underline this first.
  • 00:08:04.607 --> 00:08:06.642
  • Let me return to it.
  • 00:08:06.642 --> 00:08:08.077
  • Notice that james is directing these words to christians, "dear
  • 00:08:08.077 --> 00:08:13.182
  • Brothers and sisters."
  • 00:08:13.182 --> 00:08:15.518
  • You know, christians may pride themselves on the fact that they
  • 00:08:15.518 --> 00:08:18.721
  • Don't do certain things anymore.
  • 00:08:18.721 --> 00:08:21.524
  • "i don't do those sins any longer, i'm a christian
  • 00:08:21.524 --> 00:08:24.527
  • Now," fantastic.
  • 00:08:24.527 --> 00:08:26.696
  • You would never think of assassinating somebody now that
  • 00:08:26.696 --> 00:08:30.600
  • You're a christian, but would you assassinate their character
  • 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:34.103
  • Over sunday brunch?
  • 00:08:34.103 --> 00:08:36.606
  • You would never think of putting a knife in someone, but would
  • 00:08:36.606 --> 00:08:41.577
  • You put a knife into someone to the blade of slander as you stab
  • 00:08:41.577 --> 00:08:47.383
  • Them in the back?
  • 00:08:47.383 --> 00:08:48.718
  • See, this is a problem with christians.
  • 00:08:48.718 --> 00:08:51.554
  • We like to talk and we like to make it sound spiritual when it
  • 00:08:51.554 --> 00:08:56.325
  • Isn't spiritual at all.
  • 00:08:56.325 --> 00:08:58.294
  • Bringing me to point number two, we need to control what we say.
  • 00:08:58.294 --> 00:09:02.798
  • The bible says let every man be quick to listen, slow to speak,
  • 00:09:02.798 --> 00:09:06.402
  • And slow to anger, but the reality is we're often quick to
  • 00:09:06.402 --> 00:09:10.172
  • Speak and slow to listen and quick to anger as well.
  • 00:09:10.172 --> 00:09:14.644
  • But we need to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
  • 00:09:14.644 --> 00:09:18.214
  • By the way, there are inside and outside thoughts.
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  • Did you know that?
  • 00:09:21.317 --> 00:09:23.619
  • Some things are best left unsaid.
  • 00:09:23.619 --> 00:09:26.522
  • You think them, but that doesn't mean you should say them.
  • 00:09:26.522 --> 00:09:29.859
  • And other things need to be said as well.
  • 00:09:29.859 --> 00:09:32.762
  • Verse 6 said, "tongue is set on fire by hell."
  • 00:09:32.762 --> 00:09:36.799
  • James is telling us the uncontrolled tongue
  • 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:39.502
  • Has a direct pipeline to hell.
  • 00:09:39.502 --> 00:09:42.772
  • We all know that a single spark from a match
  • 00:09:42.772 --> 00:09:46.475
  • Or a cigarette or a campfire can destroy a forest.
  • 00:09:46.475 --> 00:09:49.779
  • One word foolishly spoken can be set fire by the devil, one
  • 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:55.618
  • Rumor, one lie.
  • 00:09:55.618 --> 00:09:57.820
  • Mountain climbers say that the vibration of one whisper can
  • 00:09:57.820 --> 00:10:01.590
  • Bring down an avalanche.
  • 00:10:01.590 --> 00:10:03.759
  • Number three, our words used right can do so much good.
  • 00:10:03.759 --> 00:10:07.997
  • Just one word said can alter the course of your life.
  • 00:10:07.997 --> 00:10:12.401
  • A judge with one word or one statement can decide your guilt
  • 00:10:12.401 --> 00:10:17.540
  • Or your innocence.
  • 00:10:17.540 --> 00:10:19.442
  • Point number four, our words used wrongly can do so
  • 00:10:19.442 --> 00:10:22.845
  • Much damage.
  • 00:10:22.845 --> 00:10:24.447
  • They can do so much damage.
  • 00:10:24.447 --> 00:10:25.781
  • Look at verse 5. the tongue is a small thing.
  • 00:10:25.781 --> 00:10:28.317
  • Think about this.
  • 00:10:28.317 --> 00:10:29.652
  • This mere two ounce slab of mucous membrane can do so much
  • 00:10:29.652 --> 00:10:34.423
  • Evil or good, depending on who it's controlled by.
  • 00:10:34.423 --> 00:10:38.661
  • As an example for evil, think of adolf hitler.
  • 00:10:38.661 --> 00:10:42.198
  • This man through his demonic rhetoric sent a nation to ruin.
  • 00:10:42.198 --> 00:10:46.736
  • His words were responsible for the death of 6 million jewish
  • 00:10:46.736 --> 00:10:51.307
  • People in the holocaust, and many christians were sent to
  • 00:10:51.307 --> 00:10:55.177
  • Those concentration camps as well.
  • 00:10:55.177 --> 00:10:57.813
  • Truly, as james says in verse 6, hitler's tongue was set on fire
  • 00:10:57.813 --> 00:11:02.284
  • By hell itself.
  • 00:11:02.284 --> 00:11:04.286
  • Now contrast him with another person who used his words well,
  • 00:11:04.286 --> 00:11:07.923
  • Billy graham, a farm boy born in charlotte, north carolina.
  • 00:11:07.923 --> 00:11:12.962
  • He aspired to be a baseball player one day and god put his
  • 00:11:12.962 --> 00:11:16.132
  • Hand on billy, and through his preaching around the world
  • 00:11:16.132 --> 00:11:19.935
  • Millions of people changed their eternal destiny.
  • 00:11:19.935 --> 00:11:23.706
  • Indeed, death and life are in the power of the tongue, and i
  • 00:11:23.706 --> 00:11:27.943
  • Ask you, who is your tongue dedicated to?
  • 00:11:27.943 --> 00:11:31.480
  • There are many ways we can use our words to hurt others.
  • 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:35.050
  • One is through gossip and backbiting.
  • 00:11:35.050 --> 00:11:38.053
  • Gossip, the very word hisses, gossip.
  • 00:11:38.053 --> 00:11:44.527
  • Like a snake, right?
  • 00:11:44.527 --> 00:11:46.095
  • So sneaky.
  • 00:11:46.095 --> 00:11:47.863
  • We can make it sound like it is important, but it's
  • 00:11:47.863 --> 00:11:51.033
  • So destructive.
  • 00:11:51.033 --> 00:11:52.968
  • Proverbs 20, verse 19 says that "gossip betrays the confidence.
  • 00:11:52.968 --> 00:11:57.406
  • Avoid a man who talks too much."
  • 00:11:57.406 --> 00:11:59.875
  • How practical is that?
  • 00:11:59.875 --> 00:12:01.610
  • Gossip is like junk food.
  • 00:12:01.610 --> 00:12:03.946
  • You know it's bad, but you eat it anyway.
  • 00:12:03.946 --> 00:12:06.448
  • Like a translation of proverbs 26:22 that's modern puts it
  • 00:12:06.448 --> 00:12:11.854
  • This way, "listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy.
  • 00:12:11.854 --> 00:12:15.624
  • Do you want junk like that in your belly?"
  • 00:12:15.624 --> 00:12:18.561
  • What a great translation.
  • 00:12:18.561 --> 00:12:20.729
  • So, when i go to the movie, i like to get milk duds and
  • 00:12:20.729 --> 00:12:23.966
  • Popcorn, and i don't know what's going on and i don't know if
  • 00:12:23.966 --> 00:12:26.936
  • You've noticed this, but a lot of movie theaters, if not most,
  • 00:12:26.936 --> 00:12:30.906
  • Are not carrying milk duds anymore.
  • 00:12:30.906 --> 00:12:33.375
  • What is going on?
  • 00:12:33.375 --> 00:12:35.644
  • I love milk duds.
  • 00:12:35.644 --> 00:12:37.012
  • It's the only time i eat candy.
  • 00:12:37.012 --> 00:12:38.914
  • I don't really eat candy at all, but when i got that popcorn, i
  • 00:12:38.914 --> 00:12:41.851
  • Want some milk duds.
  • 00:12:41.851 --> 00:12:43.185
  • I think maybe because they stick to everything.
  • 00:12:43.185 --> 00:12:44.653
  • I'm not really sure, but the other day i was at the drug
  • 00:12:44.653 --> 00:12:48.424
  • Store and i saw they had milk duds.
  • 00:12:48.424 --> 00:12:50.526
  • I haven't seen milk duds anywhere, and i bought like four
  • 00:12:50.526 --> 00:12:52.695
  • Boxes of them, and they're really big boxes too.
  • 00:12:52.695 --> 00:12:55.898
  • I came home, cathy said, "well, why did you buy all those
  • 00:12:55.898 --> 00:12:58.901
  • Milk duds?"
  • 00:12:58.901 --> 00:13:00.236
  • I said, "because i can't find them anywhere."
  • 00:13:00.236 --> 00:13:01.604
  • She said, "you shouldn't have bought them.
  • 00:13:01.604 --> 00:13:03.472
  • You're gonna eat them."
  • 00:13:03.472 --> 00:13:04.807
  • "no, i won't.
  • 00:13:04.807 --> 00:13:06.175
  • I won't eat that many."
  • 00:13:06.175 --> 00:13:07.509
  • And then that night who's making popcorn and milk duds?
  • 00:13:07.509 --> 00:13:10.045
  • Cathy.
  • 00:13:10.045 --> 00:13:11.413
  • She's the one eating them, but i had some too.
  • 00:13:11.413 --> 00:13:14.283
  • But you don't feel good after you eat candy, do you?
  • 00:13:14.283 --> 00:13:17.219
  • It's good going down, and that's what gossip is like.
  • 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:21.156
  • Gossip will often veil itself in acceptable ways with phrases
  • 00:13:21.156 --> 00:13:26.362
  • Like, "have you heard," or, "did you know?"
  • 00:13:26.362 --> 00:13:29.265
  • Or how about this?
  • 00:13:29.265 --> 00:13:30.599
  • "i don't know if this is true, but," okay, hold on.
  • 00:13:30.599 --> 00:13:34.370
  • If any statement you make begins with the words, "i don't know if
  • 00:13:34.370 --> 00:13:37.773
  • This is true," stop and don't make that statement because you
  • 00:13:37.773 --> 00:13:41.877
  • Don't know how devastating that could be.
  • 00:13:41.877 --> 00:13:44.380
  • But we rationalize it and say spiritual things like this, "i'm
  • 00:13:44.380 --> 00:13:50.419
  • Only telling you this so you can pray."
  • 00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:53.956
  • Oh, shut up.
  • 00:13:53.956 --> 00:13:56.191
  • You're gossiping.
  • 00:13:56.191 --> 00:13:57.559
  • Don't give me this so you can pray business.
  • 00:13:57.559 --> 00:14:00.496
  • "no, i just--that's the only reason i'm sharing it."
  • 00:14:00.496 --> 00:14:03.966
  • No, here's another way we can gossip: through innuendo.
  • 00:14:03.966 --> 00:14:09.305
  • Innuendo, a cousin of gossip is innuendo.
  • 00:14:09.305 --> 00:14:13.575
  • That's where you don't say it exactly, but you imply it.
  • 00:14:13.575 --> 00:14:18.147
  • Then there is a subtle misuse of our words and
  • 00:14:18.147 --> 00:14:20.649
  • Flattery, flattery.
  • 00:14:20.649 --> 00:14:23.185
  • Flattery is really lying.
  • 00:14:23.185 --> 00:14:25.321
  • Why?
  • 00:14:25.321 --> 00:14:26.689
  • Because when i flatter somebody, i'm basically telling them
  • 00:14:26.689 --> 00:14:29.091
  • A lie.
  • 00:14:29.091 --> 00:14:30.426
  • Gossip is saying behind a person's back what they would
  • 00:14:30.426 --> 00:14:32.194
  • Never say to their face, flattery is saying to a person's
  • 00:14:32.194 --> 00:14:35.597
  • Face what i would never say behind their back.
  • 00:14:35.597 --> 00:14:38.701
  • Does that make sense?
  • 00:14:38.701 --> 00:14:40.102
  • So gossip, i say it behind your back.
  • 00:14:40.102 --> 00:14:42.538
  • I would never say it to your face or ask you if it's
  • 00:14:42.538 --> 00:14:45.074
  • Even true.
  • 00:14:45.074 --> 00:14:46.442
  • Flattery, oh, i'll say it to your face, but if someone asked
  • 00:14:46.442 --> 00:14:49.845
  • Me about you, i would never say that behind your back.
  • 00:14:49.845 --> 00:14:53.282
  • Number five, if you can control your tongue, it's a sign of
  • 00:14:53.282 --> 00:14:57.519
  • Spiritual maturity.
  • 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:59.555
  • Look at verse 2, "if we control our tongues, we would be perfect
  • 00:14:59.555 --> 00:15:02.658
  • And control ourselves in every other way."
  • 00:15:02.658 --> 00:15:06.095
  • The word perfect here means full grown.
  • 00:15:06.095 --> 00:15:09.131
  • So, it's not meaning flawlessly perfect, but what it means is
  • 00:15:09.131 --> 00:15:12.434
  • You're mature.
  • 00:15:12.434 --> 00:15:13.802
  • If you can control your words, it's a sign of maturity.
  • 00:15:13.802 --> 00:15:18.340
  • I heard about a little boy that went to a pastor's house who was
  • 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:20.843
  • Doing some carpentry.
  • 00:15:20.843 --> 00:15:22.244
  • Little guy just standing there staring at the pastor as he was
  • 00:15:22.244 --> 00:15:25.714
  • Working away.
  • 00:15:25.714 --> 00:15:27.082
  • Finally the minister turned and said, "sonny, you're trying to
  • 00:15:27.082 --> 00:15:29.251
  • Pick up some tips on carpentry?"
  • 00:15:29.251 --> 00:15:31.653
  • The little guy said, "no, i just wanna see what a preacher says
  • 00:15:31.653 --> 00:15:34.556
  • When he hits his thumb with a hammer."
  • 00:15:34.556 --> 00:15:38.861
  • And i think there are people who are not believers who are
  • 00:15:38.861 --> 00:15:42.264
  • Watching us maybe in some ways hoping that we will do
  • 00:15:42.264 --> 00:15:46.835
  • Something wrong.
  • 00:15:46.835 --> 00:15:48.170
  • So, we wanna be very careful.
  • 00:15:48.170 --> 00:15:49.538
  • And by the way, some of the greatest saints in the bible had
  • 00:15:49.538 --> 00:15:52.708
  • Trouble with what they said.
  • 00:15:52.708 --> 00:15:55.077
  • Job is a good example.
  • 00:15:55.077 --> 00:15:57.112
  • God himself said of job he's a perfect and upright man, one
  • 00:15:57.112 --> 00:15:59.982
  • That fears god and shuns evil, but yet at the end of job's
  • 00:15:59.982 --> 00:16:03.585
  • Book, he writes in chapter 40, verse 4, to the lord, he says,
  • 00:16:03.585 --> 00:16:07.523
  • "i'm unworthy.
  • 00:16:07.523 --> 00:16:08.857
  • How can i reply to you?
  • 00:16:08.857 --> 00:16:10.225
  • I put my hand over my mouth."
  • 00:16:10.225 --> 00:16:12.561
  • I wish more people would put their hand over their mouth.
  • 00:16:12.561 --> 00:16:15.464
  • One of the greatest uses
  • 00:16:15.464 --> 00:16:17.332
  • Of our words is to proclaim the word of god.
  • 00:16:17.332 --> 00:16:21.970
  • But with that comes great responsibility.
  • 00:16:21.970 --> 00:16:23.939
  • Look at verse 3, "dear brothers and sisters, not many of you
  • 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:27.242
  • Should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be
  • 00:16:27.242 --> 00:16:30.813
  • Judged more strictly."
  • 00:16:30.813 --> 00:16:33.082
  • Now james is not wanting to discourage us from sharing our
  • 00:16:33.082 --> 00:16:36.652
  • Biblical insights.
  • 00:16:36.652 --> 00:16:38.520
  • Fact of the matter is, you should share the things you
  • 00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:42.124
  • Discover in the word with others.
  • 00:16:42.124 --> 00:16:44.560
  • 1 corinthians 14:26 says, "hey brothers and sisters, when you
  • 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:48.263
  • Come together, each one of you has a song or a word
  • 00:16:48.263 --> 00:16:50.933
  • Of instruction."
  • 00:16:50.933 --> 00:16:52.267
  • So, it's awesome to say, "i just read this in the word today, and
  • 00:16:52.267 --> 00:16:54.770
  • This verse really spoke to me."
  • 00:16:54.770 --> 00:16:56.205
  • Great, do that.
  • 00:16:56.205 --> 00:16:57.673
  • James is not discouraging that, but what he is saying is when
  • 00:16:57.673 --> 00:17:02.544
  • You share, when you speak for god, you know, be prepared.
  • 00:17:02.544 --> 00:17:05.647
  • There's responsibility that comes with that.
  • 00:17:05.647 --> 00:17:08.650
  • I remember the first time i shared in a public setting.
  • 00:17:08.650 --> 00:17:13.188
  • There was a small group of believers.
  • 00:17:13.188 --> 00:17:15.657
  • I was still in high school, they were in high school, and
  • 00:17:15.657 --> 00:17:19.862
  • Different people were sharing things they read in the bible,
  • 00:17:19.862 --> 00:17:21.864
  • And i'd read something that morning and i was thinking,
  • 00:17:21.864 --> 00:17:24.700
  • "should i share this?"
  • 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:26.068
  • My heart's beating.
  • 00:17:26.068 --> 00:17:27.669
  • You know that feeling.
  • 00:17:27.669 --> 00:17:29.004
  • Finally i said, "i read something in the bible today."
  • 00:17:29.004 --> 00:17:32.274
  • My voice is all shaking.
  • 00:17:32.274 --> 00:17:34.343
  • After i was done it people went, "oh, that's great."
  • 00:17:34.343 --> 00:17:37.312
  • And then the lord started opening doors for me to speak.
  • 00:17:37.312 --> 00:17:41.483
  • I never aspired to be a speaker or a preacher or a communicator
  • 00:17:41.483 --> 00:17:46.188
  • Like that.
  • 00:17:46.188 --> 00:17:47.556
  • I was a more behind the scenes kind of a person.
  • 00:17:47.556 --> 00:17:51.293
  • But as i began to do that more, i realized there's a
  • 00:17:51.293 --> 00:17:53.862
  • Responsibility that comes with this.
  • 00:17:53.862 --> 00:17:56.999
  • 1 timothy 3:1 says, "it's a trustworthy statement if a man
  • 00:17:56.999 --> 00:18:00.636
  • Aspires to the role of overseer or a preacher teacher.
  • 00:18:00.636 --> 00:18:04.239
  • It's a fine work he desires to do."
  • 00:18:04.239 --> 00:18:07.075
  • So, it's a good thing.
  • 00:18:07.075 --> 00:18:08.443
  • If god has called you to do this sort of thing, that's great.
  • 00:18:08.443 --> 00:18:11.213
  • Make sure you're prepared.
  • 00:18:11.213 --> 00:18:13.248
  • And when i stand up, i wanna be prepared and be able to back up
  • 00:18:13.248 --> 00:18:17.152
  • What i say by the scripture.
  • 00:18:17.152 --> 00:18:20.122
  • That's why the bible says, "study to show yourself approved
  • 00:18:20.122 --> 00:18:23.492
  • Unto god, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly
  • 00:18:23.492 --> 00:18:26.528
  • Dividing the word of truth."
  • 00:18:26.528 --> 00:18:28.730
  • You know, people have asked me, "what is it like to stand up in
  • 00:18:28.730 --> 00:18:30.866
  • A stadium and speak to a huge group of people?
  • 00:18:30.866 --> 00:18:35.003
  • Is it fun?"
  • 00:18:35.003 --> 00:18:36.371
  • I wouldn't use the word fun.
  • 00:18:36.371 --> 00:18:39.107
  • I would use the word pressure and responsibility because i
  • 00:18:39.107 --> 00:18:44.746
  • Feel when i get up there, i'm speaking for god.
  • 00:18:44.746 --> 00:18:47.416
  • I take that very seriously.
  • 00:18:47.416 --> 00:18:49.484
  • I don't wanna say the wrong thing.
  • 00:18:49.484 --> 00:18:51.186
  • I wanna say the right thing because god has not called me to
  • 00:18:51.186 --> 00:18:54.823
  • Be some kind of a political pundit.
  • 00:18:54.823 --> 00:18:57.726
  • He's not called me to be a social commentator.
  • 00:18:57.726 --> 00:19:00.596
  • He's not called me to be a life coach or a stand up comic,
  • 00:19:00.596 --> 00:19:04.466
  • Though i'm incredibly funny at times.
  • 00:19:04.466 --> 00:19:07.769
  • Not today so much.
  • 00:19:07.769 --> 00:19:10.105
  • And i'm joking, but the fact is, i'm called to declare the word
  • 00:19:10.105 --> 00:19:15.344
  • Of god, and the scripture says when we stand to speak, in 1
  • 00:19:15.344 --> 00:19:19.214
  • Peter 4:11, we should do so as one who speaks the very words
  • 00:19:19.214 --> 00:19:23.385
  • Of god.
  • 00:19:23.385 --> 00:19:24.753
  • It's a sacred responsibility, and i take it very seriously.
  • 00:19:24.753 --> 00:19:28.657
  • And we all should.
  • 00:19:28.657 --> 00:19:30.025
  • Bringing me to my next point, number seven, use your words to
  • 00:19:30.025 --> 00:19:33.695
  • Build up, not to tear down.
  • 00:19:33.695 --> 00:19:36.431
  • Use your words to build up, not to tear down.
  • 00:19:36.431 --> 00:19:39.001
  • Verse 8 of james 3, "the tongue is restless and evil full of
  • 00:19:39.001 --> 00:19:44.206
  • Deadly poison.
  • 00:19:44.206 --> 00:19:45.540
  • Sometimes it praises our lord and father, sometimes it curses
  • 00:19:45.540 --> 00:19:49.211
  • Those who've been made in the image of god."
  • 00:19:49.211 --> 00:19:53.148
  • How important encouragement is?
  • 00:19:53.148 --> 00:19:55.350
  • Have you ever had a word of encouragement just change things
  • 00:19:55.350 --> 00:19:58.020
  • For you?
  • 00:19:58.020 --> 00:19:59.388
  • Maybe you're feeling down.
  • 00:19:59.388 --> 00:20:01.290
  • "oh, no one appreciates what i do.
  • 00:20:01.290 --> 00:20:03.325
  • No one notices.
  • 00:20:03.325 --> 00:20:04.660
  • No one cares."
  • 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:06.028
  • And then maybe a letter arrives that was written, you know,
  • 00:20:06.028 --> 00:20:08.563
  • Three days ago.
  • 00:20:08.563 --> 00:20:09.931
  • You open it up, someone encourages you or they shoot you
  • 00:20:09.931 --> 00:20:12.768
  • A text or someone says something to you, you say, "thank you.
  • 00:20:12.768 --> 00:20:16.938
  • I really needed that."
  • 00:20:16.938 --> 00:20:19.574
  • Proverbs 25:25 says, "good news from far away is like cold water
  • 00:20:19.574 --> 00:20:23.945
  • To the thirsty."
  • 00:20:23.945 --> 00:20:25.414
  • I think one of the greatest needs in the church today and in
  • 00:20:25.414 --> 00:20:30.285
  • The world today is for us to encourage one another, not
  • 00:20:30.285 --> 00:20:34.556
  • Discourage one another, not biting and devouring
  • 00:20:34.556 --> 00:20:39.995
  • One another.
  • 00:20:39.995 --> 00:20:41.663
  • In fact, hebrews tells us that "we should not forsake the
  • 00:20:41.663 --> 00:20:45.634
  • Assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but
  • 00:20:45.634 --> 00:20:49.471
  • Instead, exhorting or encouraging one another so much
  • 00:20:49.471 --> 00:20:54.042
  • More as we see the day of the lord approaching."
  • 00:20:54.042 --> 00:20:57.179
  • The problem is some people don't know how to pay a compliment.
  • 00:20:57.179 --> 00:21:00.849
  • They insult you while they compliment you.
  • 00:21:00.849 --> 00:21:03.919
  • Do you know what i'm talking about?
  • 00:21:03.919 --> 00:21:05.420
  • It's called a complisult.
  • 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:08.290
  • It's meant to encourage, but actually it discourages you.
  • 00:21:08.290 --> 00:21:14.963
  • Example, you know, you show up at their house and they
  • 00:21:14.963 --> 00:21:17.432
  • Say, "whoa!
  • 00:21:17.432 --> 00:21:18.767
  • You're on time."
  • 00:21:18.767 --> 00:21:20.135
  • Okay.
  • 00:21:20.135 --> 00:21:21.670
  • So, you're basically saying i'm late the rest of the time.
  • 00:21:21.670 --> 00:21:25.207
  • How about this one?
  • 00:21:25.207 --> 00:21:26.541
  • "you're a great driver for a woman."
  • 00:21:26.541 --> 00:21:29.077
  • What?
  • 00:21:29.077 --> 00:21:31.113
  • How about this one?
  • 00:21:31.113 --> 00:21:32.514
  • "you look so good when you wear makeup."
  • 00:21:32.514 --> 00:21:34.716
  • "what?
  • 00:21:34.716 --> 00:21:36.218
  • What are you saying?"
  • 00:21:36.218 --> 00:21:38.120
  • You basically look bad most of the time, but yeah.
  • 00:21:38.120 --> 00:21:40.989
  • "oh you sure clean up good," that's a variation of it.
  • 00:21:40.989 --> 00:21:44.926
  • "you're so pretty.
  • 00:21:44.926 --> 00:21:46.261
  • Why are you still single?"
  • 00:21:46.261 --> 00:21:47.729
  • What?
  • 00:21:47.729 --> 00:21:49.064
  • Is that really helpful?
  • 00:21:49.064 --> 00:21:50.399
  • Or how about this one?
  • 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.767
  • "you look good for your age."
  • 00:21:51.767 --> 00:21:54.369
  • I've heard that a few times.
  • 00:21:54.369 --> 00:21:56.004
  • Recently i went to the tailor.
  • 00:21:56.004 --> 00:21:58.473
  • I was wearing a suit and i needed to have some
  • 00:21:58.473 --> 00:22:01.676
  • Alterations done.
  • 00:22:01.676 --> 00:22:03.011
  • I would like to say to take it in; it was the opposite.
  • 00:22:03.011 --> 00:22:05.747
  • And so, we're chit chatting.
  • 00:22:05.747 --> 00:22:09.017
  • I've known this guy for a while and he says, "what's new?"
  • 00:22:09.017 --> 00:22:12.354
  • "well, i turned 70."
  • 00:22:12.354 --> 00:22:13.722
  • He said, "what?
  • 00:22:13.722 --> 00:22:15.090
  • You turned 70?"
  • 00:22:15.090 --> 00:22:16.725
  • And then like i didn't say i died.
  • 00:22:16.725 --> 00:22:18.927
  • I mean.
  • 00:22:18.927 --> 00:22:20.262
  • And then he said, "well, you look good for your age.
  • 00:22:20.262 --> 00:22:22.597
  • I mean, i'd call you at like 68 or something.
  • 00:22:22.597 --> 00:22:25.400
  • I don't--"
  • 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.802
  • All right, whatever, complisult.
  • 00:22:26.802 --> 00:22:29.838
  • We don't mean them.
  • 00:22:29.838 --> 00:22:32.140
  • I think some people think they have the gift of criticism.
  • 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:35.110
  • It's not a gift.
  • 00:22:35.110 --> 00:22:38.079
  • Number eight, we should use our words to praise god.
  • 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:41.616
  • Why did god give us this tongue?
  • 00:22:41.616 --> 00:22:43.919
  • Why did god give us the ability to verbally communicate?
  • 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:48.223
  • One of the reasons is so we could use it to bring glory to
  • 00:22:48.223 --> 00:22:53.195
  • The lord.
  • 00:22:53.195 --> 00:22:54.529
  • I love the words of david when he says, "my lips shall
  • 00:22:54.529 --> 00:22:56.932
  • Praise thee.
  • 00:22:56.932 --> 00:22:58.300
  • Thus will i bless thee.
  • 00:22:58.300 --> 00:23:00.268
  • I'll lift up my hands unto your name."
  • 00:23:00.268 --> 00:23:02.737
  • You need to express your praise to god verbally, just as you
  • 00:23:02.737 --> 00:23:07.476
  • Need to express your affirmation of people.
  • 00:23:07.476 --> 00:23:11.313
  • Guys, it's not enough to look at your wife and think, "i sure
  • 00:23:11.313 --> 00:23:15.116
  • Love her and she looks beautiful today."
  • 00:23:15.116 --> 00:23:17.452
  • She's not a mind reader.
  • 00:23:17.452 --> 00:23:19.621
  • Tell her.
  • 00:23:19.621 --> 00:23:20.989
  • Same for you girls too.
  • 00:23:20.989 --> 00:23:22.324
  • Tell your husband you appreciate them, tell your parents you
  • 00:23:22.324 --> 00:23:25.193
  • Appreciate them, tell your children how much you love them,
  • 00:23:25.193 --> 00:23:28.296
  • Encourage them.
  • 00:23:28.296 --> 00:23:29.664
  • Verbalize these things.
  • 00:23:29.664 --> 00:23:31.299
  • And we need to verbalize our praise to god.
  • 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:34.636
  • Hebrews 13:15 says, "let us offer continually the sacrifice
  • 00:23:34.636 --> 00:23:39.374
  • Of praise to god."
  • 00:23:39.374 --> 00:23:41.843
  • Some people say, "i can't do that."
  • 00:23:41.843 --> 00:23:43.845
  • You know, during worship you've got your hands in your pockets
  • 00:23:43.845 --> 00:23:47.182
  • Or your arms are folded.
  • 00:23:47.182 --> 00:23:49.017
  • You're not singing even though we put lyrics on screens and we
  • 00:23:49.017 --> 00:23:52.988
  • Encourage you to worship.
  • 00:23:52.988 --> 00:23:54.322
  • And you look at someone with their hands lifted up, you
  • 00:23:54.322 --> 00:23:55.790
  • Say, "fanatic."
  • 00:23:55.790 --> 00:23:58.059
  • And then you go to the football game, and
  • 00:23:58.059 --> 00:24:00.629
  • You paint your face in the colors of your team.
  • 00:24:00.629 --> 00:24:04.432
  • And when your team scores a touchdown, you flip out,
  • 00:24:04.432 --> 00:24:08.270
  • Screaming, yelling, setting yourself on fire, everything.
  • 00:24:08.270 --> 00:24:12.674
  • And then you look at someone who lifts one hand to the lord and
  • 00:24:12.674 --> 00:24:15.210
  • You call him a fanatic?
  • 00:24:15.210 --> 00:24:17.345
  • Come on now, you have passion for other things, right?
  • 00:24:17.345 --> 00:24:21.883
  • You should not have equal passion for christ.
  • 00:24:25.887 --> 00:24:28.189
  • You should have greater passion for christ than your
  • 00:24:28.189 --> 00:24:31.126
  • Team, right?
  • 00:24:31.126 --> 00:24:33.028
  • So, use your words to praise god.
  • 00:24:33.028 --> 00:24:36.698
  • Number nine, use your tongue, use your words to preach
  • 00:24:36.698 --> 00:24:40.435
  • The gospel.
  • 00:24:40.435 --> 00:24:41.970
  • The primary way god has chosen to bring non-believers to faith
  • 00:24:41.970 --> 00:24:46.007
  • Is through the verbal articulation of the gospel.
  • 00:24:46.007 --> 00:24:50.979
  • We all know the great commission.
  • 00:24:50.979 --> 00:24:52.414
  • It's go into all the world and be a good example, right?
  • 00:24:52.414 --> 00:24:57.018
  • That's not what it is.
  • 00:24:57.018 --> 00:24:58.486
  • You know what it is.
  • 00:24:58.486 --> 00:24:59.821
  • Go into all the world and do what?
  • 00:24:59.821 --> 00:25:01.590
  • Thank you.
  • 00:25:01.590 --> 00:25:02.924
  • And by the way, to preach doesn't mean i have to yell.
  • 00:25:02.924 --> 00:25:05.927
  • It can be soft.
  • 00:25:05.927 --> 00:25:07.295
  • You can speak softly, you can tweet it, you can type it, you
  • 00:25:07.295 --> 00:25:10.432
  • Can post it, you can text it.
  • 00:25:10.432 --> 00:25:12.500
  • You can share it conversationally, but it's
  • 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:14.336
  • Verbal articulation of the gospel.
  • 00:25:14.336 --> 00:25:17.939
  • Now i'm not saying we should not go be a good example because the
  • 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:21.610
  • Fact of the matter is, is when i'm a good example, it in effect
  • 00:25:21.610 --> 00:25:25.146
  • Earns me the right to verbally articulate what i believe and
  • 00:25:25.146 --> 00:25:29.684
  • Help a person to believe as well.
  • 00:25:29.684 --> 00:25:32.187
  • But in romans 10:14, paul writes, "how can they call on
  • 00:25:32.187 --> 00:25:35.023
  • Him unless they believe in him?
  • 00:25:35.023 --> 00:25:36.758
  • How can they believe in him if they've never heard about him?
  • 00:25:36.758 --> 00:25:41.062
  • And how could they hear about him unless someone tells them?"
  • 00:25:41.062 --> 00:25:46.568
  • You want to use your words and your tongue for the
  • 00:25:46.568 --> 00:25:48.970
  • Ultimate good?
  • 00:25:48.970 --> 00:25:50.305
  • Use them to--use it to praise god and use it to tell others
  • 00:25:50.305 --> 00:25:53.775
  • About jesus.
  • 00:25:53.775 --> 00:25:55.410
  • Number ten and lastly, use your words to confess your sin.
  • 00:25:55.410 --> 00:26:00.815
  • Use your words to confess your sin.
  • 00:26:00.815 --> 00:26:02.584
  • The bible says, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive
  • 00:26:02.584 --> 00:26:06.121
  • Ourselves and the truth is not in us."
  • 00:26:06.121 --> 00:26:08.623
  • You know, "but if we will confess our sin, he is faithful
  • 00:26:08.623 --> 00:26:11.926
  • And just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from
  • 00:26:11.926 --> 00:26:15.530
  • All unrighteousness."
  • 00:26:15.530 --> 00:26:22.237
  • Greg: hi, i'm greg laurie. i've got some good news for you.
  • 00:26:26.374 --> 00:26:29.077
  • God loves you, and god has a plan for your life.
  • 00:26:29.077 --> 00:26:32.914
  • Here's the problem: we're separated from god by our sin
  • 00:26:32.914 --> 00:26:36.384
  • Because we've all broken his commandments.
  • 00:26:36.384 --> 00:26:39.320
  • But the good news is that 2,000 years ago, god sent
  • 00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:42.791
  • His son, jesus christ, to die on the cross for your sin,
  • 00:26:42.791 --> 00:26:47.195
  • And then to rise again from the dead.
  • 00:26:47.195 --> 00:26:49.597
  • The same jesus who died and rose is alive and ready
  • 00:26:49.597 --> 00:26:52.901
  • To come into your life right now.
  • 00:26:52.901 --> 00:26:55.437
  • Would you like your sin forgiven?
  • 00:26:55.437 --> 00:26:57.505
  • Would you like to know that when you die you will go to heaven?
  • 00:26:57.505 --> 00:27:00.375
  • If so, pray this simple prayer with me right now.
  • 00:27:00.375 --> 00:27:03.678
  • Just say, "lord jesus, i know i'm a sinner, but i believe
  • 00:27:03.678 --> 00:27:07.382
  • You're the savior, who died on the cross for my sin.
  • 00:27:07.382 --> 00:27:10.852
  • I turn from my sin now, and i choose to follow you
  • 00:27:10.852 --> 00:27:14.355
  • From this moment forward."
  • 00:27:14.355 --> 00:27:16.725
  • Did you just pray that prayer with me?
  • 00:27:16.725 --> 00:27:18.560
  • If you did, god in heaven has heard you.
  • 00:27:18.560 --> 00:27:21.529
  • And let me be the first to say to you,
  • 00:27:21.529 --> 00:27:23.698
  • Congratulations, and welcome to the family of god.
  • 00:27:23.698 --> 00:27:23.698