Power of Words Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 18:21 (NASB) (CUV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 生死在舌頭的權下，喜愛它的，必吃它所結的果子。

Power of Words Words connect us to God Words connect us to each other

1. Words connect us to God

Genesis 1 (NASB)(CUV) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 1 起初，神創造天地。 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26 Then God said, “Let there be… 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26 神說…

God’s Word gives life Creation

Genesis 3:1 (NASB)(CUV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” 耶和華神所造的，惟有蛇比田野一切的活物更狡猾。蛇對女人說：「神豈是真說不許你們吃園中所有樹上的果子嗎？」

Romans 5:12 (NASB)(CUV) Romans 6:23a (NASB)(CUV) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned. 這就如罪是從一人入了世界，死又是從罪來的；於是死就臨到眾人，因為眾人都犯了罪。 Romans 6:23a (NASB)(CUV) For the wages of sin is death 因為罪的工價乃是死

Satan’s word brings death.

God’s Word gives life 2.0 Salvation

John 1:1, 14, 18 (NASB)(CUV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 18 從來沒有人看見神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子將他表明出來。

John 1:1, 14, 18 (NASB)(CUV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 18 從來沒有人看見神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子將他表明出來。

John 1:1, 14, 18 (NASB)(CUV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 18 從來沒有人看見神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子將他表明出來。

John 1:1, 14, 18 (NASB)(CUV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 18 從來沒有人看見神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子將他表明出來。

John 1:1, 14, 18 (NASB)(CUV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 1 太初有道，道與神同在，道就是神。 14 道成了肉身，住在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 18 從來沒有人看見神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子將他表明出來。

John 1:1, 14, 18 (NASB)(CUV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 1 太初有道，道與神同在(pros)，道就是神。 14 道成了肉身，住(skenoo)在我們中間，充充滿滿地有恩典有真理。我們也見過他的榮光，正是父獨生子的榮光。 18 從來沒有人看見神，只有在父懷裡的獨生子將他表明出來。

Colossians 1:15-17 (NASB)(CUV) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 15 愛子是那不能看見之　神的像，是首生的，在一切被造的以先。 16 因為萬有都是靠他造的，無論是天上的，地上的；能看見的，不能看見的；或是有位的，主治的，執政的，掌權的；一概都是藉著他造的，又是為他造的。 17 他在萬有之先；萬有也靠他而立。

John 14:6-7 (NASB)(CUV) 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” 6 耶穌說我就是道路、真理、生命；若不藉著我，沒有人能到父那裡去。7 你們若認識我，也就認識我的父。從今以後，你們認識他，並且已經看見他。

God = God’s Word Jesus

Why the incarnated Word can save all of us?

Romans 5:18 (NASB)(CUV) So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 如此說來，因一次的過犯，眾人都被定罪；照樣，因一次的義行，眾人也就被稱義得生命了。

God’s Word gives life - Salvation

Power of Words Words connect us to God God’s Word gives life – Creation Satan’s word brings death – Sin God’s Word gives life 2.0 – Salvation Our response – Life or Death

Where can I find this bridge?

Roman 10:8-10, 13 (NIV)(CUV) 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 8 他到底怎麼說呢？他說：這道離你不遠，正在你口裡，在你心裡。就是我們所傳信主的道。9 你若口裡認耶穌為主，心裡信神叫他從死裡復活，就必得救。10 因為人心裡相信，就可以稱義；口裡承認，就可以得救。 13 因為凡求告主名的，就必得救。

Roman 10:8-10, 13 (NIV)(CUV) 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 8 他到底怎麼說呢？他說：這道離你不遠，正在你口裡，在你心裡。就是我們所傳信主的道。9 你若口裡認耶穌為主，心裡信神叫他從死裡復活，就必得救。10 因為人心裡相信，就可以稱義；口裡承認，就可以得救。 13 因為凡求告主名的，就必得救。

Life is in the power of the tongue Confession - Jesus is Lord

BUT

Matthew 7:21 (NASB)(CUV) Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 凡稱呼我主阿，主阿的人不能都進天國；惟獨遵行我天父旨意的人才能進去。

Death is in the power of the tongue The unpardonable sin

Matthew 12:31-32 (NIV)(CUV) 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. 31所以我告訴你們：人一切的罪和褻瀆的話都可得赦免，惟獨褻瀆聖靈，總不得赦免。32凡說話干犯人子的，還可得赦免；惟獨說話干犯聖靈的，今世來世總不得赦免。

Matthew 12:33-36 (NIV)(CUV) 33 Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. 33 所你們或以為樹好，果子也好；樹壞，果子也壞；因為看果子就可以知道樹。34 毒蛇的種類！你們既是惡人，怎能說出好話來呢？因為心裡所充滿的，口裡就說出來。35 善人從他心裡所存的善就發出善來；惡人從他心裡所存的惡就發出惡來。36 我又告訴你們，凡人所說的閒話，當審判的日子，必要句句供出來；37 因為要憑你的話定你為義，也要憑你的話定你有罪。

Power of Words Words connect us to God God’s Word gives life – Creation Satan’s word brings death – Sin God’s Word gives life 2.0 – Salvation Our response – Life or Death

2. Words connect us to each other

Proverbs 18:20-21 (NASB) (CUV) 20With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 20人口中所結的果子，必充滿肚腹；他嘴所出的，必使他飽足。21生死在舌頭的權下，喜愛它的，必吃它所結的果子。

Wait, Think, Speak

Proverbs 12:18 (NASB) (CUV) There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. 說話浮躁的，如刀刺人；智慧人的舌頭卻為醫人的良藥。

Proverbs 18:13 (NASB) (CUV) He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. 未曾聽完先回答的，便是他的愚昧和羞辱。

James 1:19 (NASB) (CUV) ...But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; ...但你們各人要快快的聽，慢慢的說，慢慢的動怒，

Wait

Wait - Why Am I Talking?

THINK! Before you speak… T: Is it True? H: Is it Holy? I: Is it Inspiring? N: Is it Necessary? K: Is it Kind?

T: Is it True?

Proverbs 12:19 (NASB) (CUV) Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment. 口吐真言，永遠堅立；舌說謊話，只存片時。 T: Is it True?

T: Is it True? 1 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)(CUV) by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 你這是因為說謊之人的假冒；這等人的良心如同被熱鐵烙慣了一般。 T: Is it True?

T: Is it True? John 8:44 (NIV)(CUV) You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 你們是出於你們的父魔鬼，你們父的私慾你們偏要行。他從起初是殺人的，不守真理，因他心裡沒有真理。他說謊是出於自己；因他本來是說謊的，也是說謊之人的父。 T: Is it True?

H: Is it Holy?

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)(CUV) 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. 污穢的言語一句不可出口，只要隨事說造就人的好話，叫聽見的人得益處。 H: Is it Holy?

H: Is it Holy? James 3:9-12 (NIV)(CUV) 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 9 我們用舌頭頌讚那為主、為父的，又用舌頭咒詛那照著神形像被造的人。10 頌讚和咒詛從一個口裡出來！我的弟兄們，這是不應當的！11 泉源從一個眼裡能發出甜苦兩樣的水麼？12 我的弟兄們，無花果樹能生橄欖麼？葡萄樹能結無花果麼？鹹水裡也不能發出甜水來。 H: Is it Holy?

I: Is it Inspiring?

I: Is it Inspiring? Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)(CUV) Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. 人心憂慮，屈而不伸；一句良言，使心歡樂。 I: Is it Inspiring?

Proverbs 25:11 (NASB)(CUV) Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. 一句話說得合宜，就如金蘋果在銀網子裡。 I: Is it Inspiring?

N: Is it Necessary?

Proverbs 10:19 (NASB)(CUV) When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 多言多語難免有過；禁止嘴唇是有智慧。 N: Is it Necessary?

I: Is it Inspiring? Proverbs 18:8 (NIV)(CUV) The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. 傳舌人的言語如同美食，深入人的心腹。 I: Is it Inspiring?

I: Is it Inspiring? Proverbs 26:20 (NIV)(CUV) Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. 火缺了柴就必熄滅；無人傳舌，爭競便止息。 I: Is it Inspiring?

K: Is it Kind?

Proverbs 10:11-12 (NIV)(CUV) 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. 11 義人的口是生命的泉源；強暴蒙蔽惡人的口。 12 恨能挑啟爭端；愛能遮掩一切過錯。 K: Is it Kind?

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)(CUV) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 我若能說萬人的方言，並天使的話語，卻沒有愛，我就成了鳴的鑼，響的鈸一般。 K: Is it Kind?

Proverbs 18:21 (NASB) (CUV) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 生死在舌頭的權下，喜愛它的，必吃它所結的果子。

Power of Words Words connect us to God God’s Word gives life – Creation Satan’s word brings death – sin God’s Word gives life – Salvation Our response – Life or Death Words connect us to each other WAIT THINK

Colossians 3:16-17 (NASB) (CUV) 16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. 16 當用各樣的智慧，把基督的道理豐豐富富的存在心裡，（或作：當把基督的道理豐豐富富的存在心裡，以各樣的智慧），用詩章、頌詞、靈歌，彼此教導，互相勸戒，心被恩感，歌頌神。17 無論做甚麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神。

Bullets or Seeds You can offer your ideas to others as bullets or seeds. You can shoot them or sow them: Hit people in the head with them or plant them in their hearts. Ideas used as bullets will kill inspiration and neutralize motivation. Used as seeds, they take root, grow, and become reality in the lives in which they are planted. The only risk in the seed approach: Once it grows and becomes a part of those in whom it is planted you probably will get no credit for originating the idea. But if you are willing to do without the credit... you will reap a rich harvest. Richard C. Halverson, former Chaplain of the United States Senate