Dan Morrison Box 281

Sticks and Stones

Central Proposition: The words you speak should be acceptable to God. Introduction I. Problem: Offensive speech provokes people to anger. A. These words are harmful. 1. People remember the harsh words spoken to them. 2. People have been driven to suicide because of the words spoken to them. B. This kind of speech can turn a harmless situation into a volatile one. 1. When you speak to some people in a harsh manner, they may respond in anger, with physical violence. 2. Where harsh words abound, there is much room for war. II. Solution: Gentle responses have the power to defuse hostile situations. A. Soft answers have the power to transform a situation for good. 1. When someone comes at you with harsh words you can baffle them into silence. 2. Soft responses have the power to calm others, even those coming to provoke you. B. It takes more strength to give a soft response than it does to give a harsh one. 1. Meekness is not weakness. 2. How we respond tells us about ourselves. III. Application: God wants you to exercise strength and communicate in a way that brings Him glory. A. If you have just cause to bring up an issue consider your words before you say them. 1. What you say is only part of your message; the way you say it makes up the rest. 2. Think about the person to whom you will speak. B. If someone comes to you with harsh speech, be careful how you respond. 1. Consider that your reaction may put you in the same boat as the one with whom you are angry. 2. Consider the consequences of what you do. Conclusion