This week’s series of blog posts have been created from David’s notes rather than a transcript of the sermon. This hopefully will give you additional insight into the passage. You can download Dave’s sermon notes below.
Wednesday, December 4’s devotional. Romans 3:13-14 paints a vivid picture of the destructive power of the tongue: “Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (CSB). These verses, which draw from Psalms, depict the deadly potential of our words. David Somerset emphasized that “we sin against each other by the words that we speak,” a truth that is tragically evident in our daily lives.
Psalm 5:9 warns that “destruction is within them; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongues” (CSB). This imagery suggests that our speech has the power to harm profoundly, often in ways we may not immediately see. As Dave highlighted, “The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). Such words not only reflect the corruption of the heart but also reveal how far we fall short of God’s holiness.
The prevalence of lies and deceit in today’s world offers tangible examples. Dave recalled incidents where disinformation and falsehoods caused widespread harm, such as the controversies surrounding public health responses during the pandemic. These examples serve as reminders of how the misuse of speech can erode trust and bring about great harm. As Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, “The mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart” (CSB).
This teaching resonates with the Benoni Baptist Church’s call to live in the Spirit. As the church covenant declares, “We will seek to live according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.” Our words must align with this commitment, being used to glorify God and build others up, rather than to deceive or destroy.
Take a moment to consider the impact of your words. Are they encouraging, truthful, and reflective of God’s love? Or do they sow discord and harm? Let this reminder guide you to commit your speech to the Lord, striving to reflect the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord, purify my heart so that my words may glorify You. Guide me to use my speech to bring encouragement and truth, and forgive me for any harm my words have caused. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.