In this sermon, our Deacon Michael Ebong admonished the Christians to give careful attention to their speech, avoid corrupt words, and speak that which edifies: Eph. 4:29. Read the presentation for more edifying words from God. God bless you.

1. CHURCH OF CHRIST,
SANGOTEDO
Wisdom regarding Speech
from the Book of
Proverbs
A Sermon Presented by Deacon Michael Ebong
14 August 2016

2. Introduction
 Christians are to give careful attention to
their speech
 Avoid corrupt words and speak that which
edifies: Eph. 4:29
 Abstain from filthy talk, give thanks instead: Eph.
5:4
 The book of Proverbs has much to say about
speech
 The power of speech both to tear down and to
build up
 Pro. 11:9, 11
 What wisdom can we get from the Proverbs
concerning our speech or language?

3. Destructive Use of Speech
 Lying
 Lying is an abomination to God – Pro. 6:16-19; 12:22
 Lying lips, a lying tongue
 Which bears false witness
 Lying is often fostered by hatred – Pro. 10:18; 26:24-
28
 In efforts to hide hatred
 In trying to disguise one's true feelings
 The deceit often proves to be short-lived – Pro.
12:19; 20:17; 21:6
 Just for a moment
 Sweet at first, but only a fleeting fantasy
 Lying will eventually destroy the liar and often the
one lied about

4. Destructive Use of Speech
 Flattery
 Not sincere compliments, but
deceitful praise to win another's
favour and to manipulate the one
who is flattered
 Also a source of ruin – Pro. 26:28;
29:5
Flattering often crushes others
By entrapping those who are flattered
 Like lying, flattery can destroy both
the speaker and the one who
isflattered

5. Destructive Use of Speech
 Gossip
 The gossip is known as the tale-bearer, slanderer, whisperer –
Pro. 11:13
 Who reveals secrets unlike a faithful person
 The gossip betrays and destroys friendships – Pro. 17:9
 By repeating a matter when one who truly loves will remain silent
 Gossiping creates strife – Pro. 16:27-28; 26:20-22
 Gossiping reveals the perverse character of the gossip
 The gossip’s words are like wood to a fire
 Gossiping destroys character and integrity – Pro. 11:9; 25:9-10
 The work of a true hypocrite whose own reputation will eventually
be ruined
 Gossip destroys both the speaker and the one spoken about,
whether it is true or not is incidental

6. Destructive Use of Speech
 Cursing
 Especially one's parents – Pro. 20:20; cf. Exo.
21:17; Lev. 20:9
 Such a person's lamp would soon be put out in deep
darkness
 Under the Law of Moses, it was a capital offence
 But also another's associate – Pro. 30:10
 Even maligning a lowly servant can be disastrous
 The master (or servant) may turn on you
 Speaking evil of others harms one's self as
much as those spoken against
 As James tells us in his Epistle, there is great
danger in misuse of the tongue
 Jam. 3:2-12

7. Constructive Use of Speech
 Good Words
 Words of the righteous – Pro. 10:11, 20-21
 A well of life
 As choice silver
 That feeds many
 Pleasant words – Pro. 16:24
 Like a honeycomb
 Sweetness to the soul, health to the bones
 Comforting words – Pro. 12:25
 Addressed to the anxious and depressed
 Making their hearts glad
 Such speech reveals the good heart of the
speaker

8. Constructive Use of Speech
 Timely Words
 Well-timed words – Pro. 15:23; 25:11-12
 Spoken in due season, how joyful and good it
is!
 Like apples of gold in settings of silver
 Able to make someone who is rebuked change
his ways
 Well-thought words – Pro. 15:28
 A righteous person studies carefully on how
best to answer
 But the wicked does not consider how best to
answer
 Such speech reveals the wisdom of the
speaker

9. Constructive Use of Speech
 Controlled Words
 That benefits the one who speaks –
Pro. 13:2-3; 15:1-2; 21:23
 Preserving the life of the one who guards
his mouth
 Defusing potentially violent situations
 Keeping one's soul from trouble
 They reveal true knowledge and
understanding – Pro. 10:19; 17:27-28
 By sparing words, with a calm spirit which
even a fool can benefit from
 Such speech will enhance the reputation of the
speaker

10. Conclusion
 From Proverbs we learn the value of being
careful with our speech to
 Avoid much harm to ourselves and to others
 Do much good to ourselves and to others
 We have to appreciate why Paul was so
concerned that Christians should:
 Let their speech always be seasoned with
grace – Col. 4:6
 Let no unwholesome word come out of their
mouths, only good words – Eph. 4:29
 May the Almighty God lead us to truly
appreciate the importance and wisdom of the
right kind of speech

11. Thank you ! ! !