Words carry power to build or destroy. The speaker identifies five sins of the tongue: complaint, lying, gossip, slander, and cursing, and explains how each breaks your relationship with God and others. He urges Spirit-led speech that blesses enemies instead.
Be careful. The words you speak can alter the direction of your life. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. If you want to have Spirit-led words, then you need to avoid the following sins of the tongue. Number 1, complaint. Complaint is the opposite of praise. Complaint reveals a lack of gratitude. A lack of gratitude reveals a heart not satisfied in Jesus. When we complain, we dim the light of God in our lives. Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Number 2, lying. Lying isn't just falsehood. It includes exaggeration, understatements, broken promises, and selective truth meant to manipulate. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Number 3, gossip. Gossip destroys trust by spreading information that wasn't yours to share, even when you share it under the guise of concern for others. A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers. Number 4, slander. Slander goes further than gossip, intentionally damaging someone's reputation, often fueled by bitterness, ego, or self-righteousness. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Number 5, cursing. Cursing is speaking in anger, wishing harm, or cutting someone down. Cursing is especially evil because it expresses hatred and harm towards beings created in the image of God. But to you who are listening, I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. And pray for those who mistreat you. Tell me in the comments, which one of these do you need the Holy Spirit's help with the most?
