A Word Fitly Spoken
Categories: Sermon Outlines Tags: Language, Speech, The Tongue
TITLE: A Word Fitly Spoken
SUBJECT: The Tongue
PROPOSITION: To teach the things which the obedient tongue will utter before God – namely, it will be a tongue that 1) speaks truth, 2) utters praise, 3) reflects good judgment, and 4) edifies.
OBJECTIVE: To help all realize the importance of a word fitly spoken.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
2. About the Text:
1) Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
2) When our words are spoken in a timely, considerate, thoughtful, and truth telling manner, they will be valuable to the hearers.
3) Grace is unmerited favor – our speech should be like that.
4) It should be like salt.
3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.
DISCUSSION: The obedient tongue will utter words fitly spoken because it is a tongue that…
I. Speaks Truth
1. We must be honest with ourselves first – “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:102).
2. Righteous to speak truth – “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit” (Proverbs 12:17).
3. Truthful lip established, but not the boy who cried “wolf.” — “The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment” (Proverbs 12:19).
4. Must speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
5. “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).
II. Utters Praise
1. At all times – “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).
2. Singing — “He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:3).
3. All day – “Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day” (Psalm 71:8).
4. Among the multitudes – “I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; Yes, I will praise Him among the multitude” (Psalm 109:30).
5. “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God” (Psalm 50:23).
6. “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name
7. Forever and ever” (Psalm 145:21).
8. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).
III. Reflects Good Judgment
1. Bridling our Tongue
1) “I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me” (Psalm 39:1).
2) “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
3) “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive” (Proverbs 17:27-28).
4) “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
5) “A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11).
6) “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
7) “ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (James 1:26).
2. Speaking Wisely
1) “The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice” (Psalm 37:30).
2) “Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding” (Proverbs 10:13).
3) “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).
IV. Edifies
1. “I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds” (Psalm 77:12).
2. “My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness” (Psalm 119:172).
3. “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 10:11).
4. “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom” (Proverbs 10:20-21).
5. “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).
6. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
CONCLUSION:
1. The obedient tongue will utter words fitly spoken because it is a tongue that…
1) Speak Truth
2) Utter Praise
3) Reflect Good Judgment
4) Edifies
2. Invitation