QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“Speech has power. Words do not fade.”

~Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972), Polish-born American rabbi and theologian

“Words and ideas can change the world.”

~John Keating, fictional teacher in Dead Poets Society

“Words are loaded pistols.”

~Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), French philosopher, novelist and activist

“Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall.”

~Jodi Picoult, best-selling author

“There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

~Proverbs 12:18

“Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.”

~Proverbs 12:25

“Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks…. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

~Jesus in Matthew 12:34, 36-37

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

~James 3:9-10

SERMON PASSAGE

Ephesians 4:15-16, 25-32 (NIV)

Ephesians 4

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work….

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

1 Corinthians 13

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

Romans 3

10 As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one….

13 “Their throats are open graves;

their tongues practice deceit.”

“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”

14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”