Watch Your Mouth - Week 2

Watch Your Mouth: Speak Life – Words That Build, Not Break

Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”

Big Idea

God’s words create worlds.

Our words build people.

Every conversation is a chance to speak grace and life.

1. God Creates with Words

Genesis 1:3 – “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’…”

Creation happened through speech, not hands.

Words matter because they carry God’s creative power and purpose.

2. We Are Made in God’s Image

Genesis 1:26–27 – We are created to reflect God’s nature.

Our words, like His, can create, build, and bless.

Ephesians 4:29 – “Only what is helpful for building others up…”

God’s words build worlds. Our words build people.

3. The Power of Life-Giving Speech

Proverbs 12:25, 15:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13

Your words can:

• Encourage the discouraged

• Comfort the hurting

• Nurture life and faith

• Bring healing and hope

4. The Fruit of Your Words

Proverbs 18:21 – “Those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Every word we speak produces fruit—life-giving or poisonous.

Wisdom is seeing the effects of your words before you speak them.

5. The 12 Types of Life-Giving Speech

(See below)

Growth Principle: Small amounts on a consistent basis over time build strength.

6. Words Reveal the Heart

Luke 6:45 – “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit shows up in your speech.

Your words are a mirror of your heart’s condition.

7. The Word That Brings Life

John 1:1, 14 – Jesus is The Word made flesh.

He absorbed death and brought life through His resurrection.

When He transforms your heart, He transforms your words.

Takeaway

Your words have the power of life and death.

If your words reveal a wounded heart, bring it to Jesus—the Word of Life.

Because in Jesus’ name, dead things come alive.

Small Group Discussion Questions: “Speak Life”

What stood out most to you from this week’s message or devotional?

Was there a story, verse, or idea that made you see words in a new way?

Genesis 1 shows that God created through His words.

How does it change your perspective to realize that speech—something we do every day—originated with God’s creative power?

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”

Can you think of a time when someone’s words either built you up or tore you down?

What made those words so powerful?

Ephesians 4:29 calls us to use words that “build others up.”

What are some practical ways we can make our speech more intentional and life-giving—in our homes, workplaces, or online?

Our words reveal our hearts (Luke 6:45).

When you think about your recent conversations, what do they say about the condition of your heart?

Where do you sense God inviting you to grow?

Jesus is called “The Word” in John 1:1.

How does knowing that Jesus is The Word of Life change how you think about the words you speak?

What does it look like to let His words shape yours?

3 Day Devotional

Day 1 – God’s Words Create Worlds

Read: Genesis 1:3 – “Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

Proverbs 18:21 – “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Reflect: The first thing God does in Scripture is speak. His words don’t describe reality—they create it. He spoke, and light appeared. He spoke, and oceans formed. He spoke, and life began. That same God created us in His image, with the ability to use words that can shape hearts and influence lives. Every sentence you speak builds something. The question is: what are you building? Your words can create peace in your home, courage in your friends, or faith in your children. God’s words create worlds. Our words build people. Where in your life do you need to speak life instead of criticism, truth instead of sarcasm, blessing instead of complaint?

Pray: “Father, thank You for showing me that my words matter. You created with words, and You’ve trusted me with that same gift. Help me to speak light into darkness and life into the people around me today.”

Day 2 – Our Words Build People

Read: Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…”

Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”

Reflect: We learned as kids that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That’s simply not true. Words can wound—but they can also build. Your words are tools. In one conversation, you can tear down or build up. You can plant hope, heal a wound, or remind someone of who they are in Christ. Every time you speak, you’re constructing something in the life of another person. Think of someone whose words built you up—maybe a teacher, parent, coach, or friend. Now think of someone who needs that same encouragement today. Which kind of builder will you be?

Pray: “Jesus, thank You for the people who have spoken life into me. Give me eyes to see who needs encouragement today. Use my words to strengthen, comfort, and build others in Your name.”

Day 3 – The Word That Brings Life

Read: John 1:1, 14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”

Luke 6:45 – “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Reflect: Our words reveal what’s happening inside our hearts. When anger, pride, or bitterness fills us, it eventually shows up in our speech. But when our hearts are filled with The Word—Jesus Himself—life comes out. Jesus is the Living Word. He spoke healing to the sick, peace to storms, and forgiveness to sinners. When you allow Him to transform your heart, He transforms your words too. He replaces sarcasm with grace, harshness with gentleness, and criticism with compassion. If your words have been wounding, start by letting Him heal your heart.

Pray: “Lord Jesus, You are the Word of Life. Fill my heart with Your Spirit so that my words overflow with Your love. Transform me from the inside out, and let my speech bring life everywhere I go.”

12 Types of Life-Giving Speech

Encouragement

Speaking words that strengthen, cheer, and inspire others.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

• Proverbs 12:25 – "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."

Permission-Giving / Blessing

Giving freedom, affirmation, and blessing to step into God’s calling.

• Numbers 6:24–26 – "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

• Acts 13:3 – "So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off."

Gratitude

Expressing thanks regularly to God and to people.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

• Colossians 3:17 – "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Approval

Affirming identity and worth with words of approval.

• Matthew 3:17 – "And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’"

• Matthew 25:21 – "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’"

Compliment

Offering wise and sincere praise for what is good.

• Proverbs 31:28–29 – "Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’"

• John 1:47 – "When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’"

Validation

Acknowledging and honoring the feelings and experiences of others.

• Romans 12:15 – "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

• Hebrews 4:15 – "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."

Commendation

Publicly recognizing and celebrating faithfulness or achievement.

• Romans 16:1 – "I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae."

• 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 – "We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Careful Instruction

Teaching with clarity, patience, and care for understanding.

• 2 Timothy 2:24–25 – "And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth."

• Colossians 3:16 – "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."

Correction

Helping someone get back on the right path through gentle redirection.

• Galatians 6:1 – "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."

• Proverbs 15:31 – "Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise."

Admonishment

Warning and urging others with love and truth.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – "And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone."

• Colossians 1:28 – "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ."

Rebuke

Speaking strong words of correction to stop harm or sin.

• 2 Timothy 4:2 – "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

• Luke 17:3 – "So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them."

The Last 10%

Speaking the hard truth we’re tempted to hold back, delivered with love.

• Ephesians 4:15 – "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

• Proverbs 28:23 – "Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue."