1. In a study completed in 2008, the average American teenager does this 90 times per day. What is it? Answer: Uses ‘swear’ words

2. Speech..For better or for worse? Church of Christ at Medina June 7 th, 2015

3. What does your speech show? 1.It is an indication of who we really are. “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:33-37, ESV

4. What does your speech show? 1.It is an indication of who we really are. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14, ESV

5. What does your speech show? 1.It is an indication of who we really are. 2.It confirms our conversion to Christ. (Ephesians 4:17-32)

6. What should your speech do? 1.It should always give glory to God. (Hebrews 13:15)

7. What should your speech do? 1.It should always give glory to God. (Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 107:1-2, 21-22)

8. What should your speech do? 1.It should always give glory to God. (Hebrews 13:15; Psalm 107:1-2, 21-22) 2.It should always build others up. (Ephesians 4:29) – “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:25-32, ESV)

9. Improper Speech: Evil Communication 1.What is evil communication? – Unwholesome: rotten, putrefied. – Irreverent: lacking respect and awe. – Profane: contempt, vulgar, degrading. 2.We will discuss two categories of evil communication today – curses and obscene language.

10. Improper Speech: Evil Communication 1.Curses – Taking God’s Name in Vain It is sinful to treat God’s name with irreverence. Exodus 20:7, Matthew 6:9 This includes euphemisms or expressions substituted in the place of God’s name but are obvious references to Him. – Cursing Others It is sinful. (Romans 3:9, 12:14) It is wishing evil against someone else. It is irreverent to God and His creation. (James 4:11-12) It is unloving. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Mark 6:28-34)

11. Improper Speech: Evil Communication 2.Filthy Language – Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ephesians 5:1-4, ESV) Filthiness – baseness, shame, disgrace

12. Speech..For better or for worse? 1.What does your speech say to others about who is ruler in your life? 2.Let’s be very careful to “let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace o those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29)