Do your words matter? In the message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally shares why we should tame our tongues. Taming the Tongue is learning to use our words according to God's design.

What if your ability to speak isn't just a gift from God for you, but a gift to others through you?

James 3:2-6

2 "Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.

 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.

6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself."

1. Your words matter because your words determine your destiny.

Proverbs18:21 NKJV "Words plant seeds which grow into fruit, and you and those around you will eat that fruit."

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

 James 3:7-8

2. Your words matter because you can't tame your tongue without God's help.

Psalm 141:3 NIV 

Taming your tongue is a lifestyle that requires your constant attention.

James 3:9-10

3. Your words matter because you can hurt others with what you say.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV

Words are like bricks—you can help build someone's house, or you can break someone's window. It depends on how you use them.

Prov 12:18 NLT  

James 3:11-12

4. Your words matter because your words reveal the real you.

Luke 6:45 NLT 

(Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.)

James 1:26 NLT  "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless."

Don't let your tongue destroy your testimony.

A manchineel tree is a tree in south Florida and parts of South America and the Caribbean that scientists say may be the deadliest tree in the world. Scientists believe since the tree lives in an area where there are more toxic plants than normal, it has grown an overdeveloped defense mechanism to protect itself.

For many of us, like the manchineel tree, our words have become toxic fruit used as a defense mechanism. Receive healing for yourself so you will stop hurting everyone else.

Do you speak as if your words matter?