Cedar Hills Community Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

PRAY FOR ME: SpeechPastor Steve PooleTEXT – James 3:3-12 ESV1. The Bible and Jesus take speech seriously.· Proverbs 18:6-7; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 12:18· Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue…· Ephesians 5:3-5; Matthew 12:34-372. Speech is serious because it reveals our heart condition.· Matthew 12:34; Ephesians 4:19-24; 29· “The grace of God has taken the hate and anger and resentment that spill over in mean and vulgar and irreverent language and has covered them with the blood of Christ and killed them along with the old unbelieving self.” ~ John Piper3. Godly speech isn’t moralistic—it is life-giving.4. Summary of God’s standards for speech:· Does it honor God? Is it true?· Does it cheapen or degrade what God has called good or holy?· Does it build others up, bring life to them, or give grace to the hearers?· It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it.NEXT STEPS1. Put your trust in Jesus and be forgiven and freed from sin. 2. R