Don’t make excuses for your words.

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, “I was only joking!”   Proverbs 26:18-19

Words are tools and we need to learn how to use them well. 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

God told Moses He would help him speak.

So the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say. Ex. 4:11-12

We have a choice of words when we want things to change.

You can either speak Toxic Words or Healing Words.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. Proverbs 12:18

Toxic Words Cut and Poison the Relationship.
Healing Words Soothe and Enhance the Relationship.

Toxin: a poison produced by an organism that causes disease or death

Toxic words are produced in an atmosphere of haste and anger.

…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath… James 1:19

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Prov. 15:1

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19

Words that should be eliminated from our conversations:

• Name Calling
• Words of Dismissal and Disgust
• Words that take the heart out of people
• Words that Disparage
• Words that Overstate
• Words that rub salt in the wound

A continual dripping on a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike…  Proverbs 27:15

You can’t eliminate harsh, toxic words from your world but you can eliminate them from your mouth.

The Power of Praise

 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.  Proverbs 12:25

Praise is a tool… there is a right way and wrong way to use it.

A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. Proverbs 29:5

Deal with problems by praising the person rather than criticizing.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom. 12:21

Praise in Three Areas:
Body – Physical
Soul – Mental, Social
Spirit –  Spiritually

Perfect your Praise

• pay attention, think ahead
• take notes (review), follow a good example
• stick to it – keep it up – don’t stop at some success

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:1