Behavior through Words
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV)
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:9-10 (KJV)
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
Now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. Revelation 21:8 (NIV)
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 (KJV)
There is the power of life and death in the tongue. Remember the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me?” That saying is about as untrue as anything I have ever heard. Words hurt. Words can cut deeper than any knife or sword could ever cut. Words can wound or can heal. How do you use words? What kind of words do you use?
Do you ever lash out in anger? Describe the way you use words in a fight. List not only the words, but the attitudes, feelings and actions that accompany them.
Are you prone to fits of rage? Tell what causes you to become so angry to lead you into a fit of rage. Describe your attitudes, actions and feelings when you are angry with others. Describe how others fits of rage have affected you.
Are you a backstabber? Do you go around spreading lies and rumors? Do you try to keep those around you stirred up? Describe the way you have told tales on others, your actions, attitudes and feelings that led you to do this and how you felt afterwards. Describe how it feels to have someone do this to you.
Do you use others to get what you want? Are you more concerned with getting what you want than with harming others? Describe your actions, attitudes and feelings that lead you to use and abuse others.
Do you use words with kindness? Describe the times you have used words to build up those around you, your attitude, actions and feelings that both caused you to do this and how you felt afterwards.
In examining the verses above, I found it very interesting that liars were listed with murders and the other vile offenders. Do you tell fibs, stretch the truth or lie? Describe the times you have told, even a slight untruth, your attitudes, actions and feelings. Describe the feelings, attitudes and actions when someone has lied to you.
Have you ever wished to crawl in a hole and die (or maybe not that drastic) because of the words spoken to you by another? Describe the circumstances, your feelings, actions and attitudes that may have contributed and resulted from this. Have you ever made others feel this way? Describe those situations.
If those closest to you were questioned as to your character, how would they respond? Would they have good things to say? Do you keep things in an uproar or are you a peacemaker? If you think you could stand for someone to be totally honest with you, ask someone whom you trust to tell you what they see as your strengths and weaknesses in your actions, attitudes and the words you speak.
List any other ways that you have used words to bring about good or bad. Closely examine how you speak to others on a regular basis. Does it reflect love or hate? Describe.
Add to this list anything that you think of that has to do with actions, attitudes or feelings that was not included here.
Father, in Jesus name, I know that none of us likes to admit that we have harmed another. Lord, for the sake of your name, help each one to be honest as to the character of the words they speak to those around them. Lord, let each one list, without reservation, that they be prepared to let go of the things they have said that would harm another. In Jesus name, help each to find the kind words they use as well. Father, I praise you that you are faithful in spite of the words we have spoken. In Jesus name, amen.
