Words | Adulting Week 2

Series: Adulting

September 06, 2026

Pastor Landon Henry

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Episode Notes

1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. TNIV

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue...

Many of our greatest memories are built around words said to us; And many of our most painful memories include words.

● In the Bible, God’s CREATION OF LIFE happens through words.

● Most of Jesus’ MIRACLES happened through His words.

● Our SALVATION comes through believing words.

James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers,

because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in

what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

THE IMPACT OF WORDS

1. Small but POWERFUL.

James 3:3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses, to make them

obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

James 3:4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and

are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder

wherever the pilot wants to go.

2. Small but DESTRUCTIVE.

James 3:5-6 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it

makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a

small spark.

6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.

It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire,

and is itself set on fire by hell.

3. Tough to TAME.

James 3:7-8 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are

being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being

can tame the tongue.

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

4. DELIGHT or DESTROY.

James 3:9-10 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.

5. Reveal what’s INSIDE.

James 3:11-12 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.

THE ROOT PROBLEM:

● A HEART problem.

Matthew 12:34 “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth

speaks.”

THE ONLY REAL SOLUTION:

● A CHANGED HEART.

Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

HOW CAN I MANAGE MY MOUTH?

James 1:19-21 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone

should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...

1. Learn to LISTEN.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be

quick to listen...”

2. WEIGH your words.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.”

3. Refrain from RAGE.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to

become angry.”

Tips for Smart Texting:

● Think before you RESPOND.

● If you can’t say it in front of your SPOUSE, don’t text it.

● If you can’t read it out loud in CHURCH, don’t text it.

● If it would make your MOM upset, don’t text it.

● Don’t say through a SCREEN what you wouldn’t say in person.

● Don’t drink and drive and don’t TEXT ANGRY.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to

become angry.”

James 3:10 “Out of the same heart come praise and cursing. My

brothers, this should not be.”

4. Be CONSTRUCTIVE not CRITICAL.