The Power of our Words – Part 1: Jesus, Our Great Physician

Download the sermon guide to print here.

In this sermon, Dorothy Abshire explores the profound impact of our words on relationships and personal growth. She reminds us of the biblical importance of careful speech and encourages us to use our words to build up rather than tear down. This guide will help you dive deeper into the teaching and consider how we can harness the power of our words to reflect God’s love and bring out the best in others.

This sermon emphasizes:

• Words expose the heart and reveal our true nature
• Our speech has the power to create or destroy identity in others
• God’s Word emphasizes the importance of careful, uplifting speech
• We are called to speak identity and encouragement aligned with God’s truth
• Negative words can have lasting, harmful effects while positive words can inspire greatness
• As believers, we have the responsibility to use our words to build up others and honor God

Key Scriptures:

• “Either make the tree good and its fruit good or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:33-37 NASB1995)
• “Moreover I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26 NASB1995)
• “Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 NASB1995)
• “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart and those defile the man.” (Matthew 15:18 NASB1995)
• “With it we bless our Lord and Father and with it we curse men who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree my brethren produce olives or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.” (James 3:9-12 NASB1995)
• “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 NASB1995)

Table Questions:

These are questions based on the scriptures and sermon to help you put the teaching into practice. They can be used in discipleship, Lifegroup, as a family or with whoever is around your table this summer:

1. What stood out to you most from today’s sermon on the power of words?
2. Can you share an example of how someone’s words have positively influenced your life?
3. How might becoming more aware of our speech patterns help us grow spiritually?
4. In what ways do you see the connection between the condition of our hearts and the words we speak?
5. How can we practically apply Ephesians 4:29 in our daily interactions with others?
6. What steps can we take to “guard our hearts” as mentioned in Proverbs 4:23?
7. How might our words impact the next generation’s understanding of their identity in Christ?
8. What role do you think prayer and Scripture meditation play in transforming our speech?
9. How can we lovingly encourage one another to use more uplifting language without coming across as judgmental?
10. What’s one specific way you feel challenged to change your speech patterns this week based on today’s message?