By Your Words

 May 29, 2025

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”. Matthew 12:33-37, NKJV emphasis added. 

The Bible says: “What comes out of a man that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man”. Mark 7:20-23. Many of these sins are expressed out of the mouth, by our words.

It is with the mouth that confession is made unto salvation. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth unto salvation.” Romans 10:10 KJV, emphasis added. When a person confesses that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior, whom he will follow and obey forever, it proceeds from his heart (the center of his being) as the first act of saving faith. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16.

Jesus said if we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the Father. Yet how many times do we deny that we even know God out of the fear of losing the respect of other people? We sit in silence way too often when we should speak up.

“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” James 3:2. There are two things that most Christians never talk about. The first is that the Bible talks about Christian perfection. It talks about how to be perfect in God’s eyes and the fact that Jesus commanded us to be perfect. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. The second thing most Christians never talk about is gossip, lies, and the power of the tongue, which is the topic of this article.

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body.” James 3:5-6. If a person controls what they say, they are very unusual and very wise. With our words, we can destroy a person’s reputation. With our words, we can flatter others to gain an advantage. With our words, we can encourage others or tear them apart for no good reason other than our own wickedness. Gossip is a fire that spreads rapidly, devouring both the innocent and the guilty.

“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be.” James 3:8-10. Christians are commanded to exercise self-control over our bodies, and that includes our tongues and the words we speak.

What is gossip? Gossip is a sin in speaking about others in a way that harms their reputation, spreads unnecessary or unverified information, and sows discord. It may often be idle talk, rumors, or malicious speech that does not build up but tears down. It is a form of slander and backbiting. It causes divisions and hurt feelings. It often makes the gossiper feel superior to others by tearing others down. Gossip is the opposite of loving our neighbor as ourselves, as stated in 1 Corinthians 13. Christians should be careful about this sin, as it is readily accepted in most churches, I believe.

 The Apostle James tells us that out of the same mouth should not proceed both blessings and cursing. And it is also with the mouth/tongue that people distort, twist, rewrite, and destroy the Word of God, making it of no effect. That’s why it’s your Words that will determine the outcome of your eternal destiny.

When preachers say ‘Christians’ are sinners saved by grace but who sin daily in thought, word, and deed and can never entirely stop their vile sins in this life, they are judged by the very words they speak. As the Serpent in the Garden said to Eve, ‘Thou shalt surely not die’ if you sin against God, so our pastors ‘hiss’ the same lie in your ears that spells death to your soul and theirs at the same time.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12, KJV.

• Creation was spoken into existence by His word when He said, “Let there be light”.
• His Word is magnified above His Name; it is everlasting, immutable, and life-giving! Psalm 138:2, John 6:63.
•  Heaven and earth will pass away, but His Words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35.
• His Word is profitable for doctrine, reproof, for correction of error, and instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16.
• Words can be ‘twisted, distorted, perverted into lies, but His Words are pure (seven times purified Psalm 12:6).
• People think of themselves as above that which is written, 1 Corinthians 4:6, but their end will be according to their ways, 2 Peter 2:1-3.

Propaganda and lies can subvert entire nations and reshape the course of human history, but the Word made flesh is above all things. Although the doctrines of men are many and highly deceptive, the truth can overcome all if a person will believe and obey it. But the venomous words oozing from most evangelical pulpits tell simple Christians that they can’t consistently follow and obey the words of God. And if they actually did consistently obey God, they are trying to work their way into heaven and bypass Christ. By their words, they are condemned. Every time pastors and teachers speak the opposite of the truth (Word of God), they pronounce their doom. The Bible teaches:

• The word of God says, he who does what is right is righteous. False pastors/teachers say ‘he who does what is right is self-righteous and trying to work their way into heaven, and doesn’t need Jesus.
• The word of God says, ‘If you love me, keep my commandments’. False pastors/teachers say, ‘Jesus kept the commandments for you.’
• The word of God says, ‘Go and sin no more.’ False pastors/teachers say, ‘All Christians sin daily in thought, word, and deed.’
• The word of God says, ‘Produce deeds worthy of repentance.’ False pastors/teachers say, ‘Repeat after me; receive, trust, and accept God’s forgiveness when you confess you are a sinner. God will clean you up sometime in the future. In the meantime, don’t worry too much about your sinful life. Do what you can and remember that God loves you no matter what you do.
• The word of God says, ‘He who sins is not born of God but of the devil.’ False pastors/teachers say all born-again Christians live in constant sin. And if you hear of a Christian who says they are not sinning, they lie, and there is no truth in them.
• The word of God says, ‘A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.’ False pastors/teachers say that a good Christian brings forth both bitter and sweet water at the same time.
• The word of God says, ‘Make the tree good and its fruit will be good.’ False pastors and teachers say that a good tree can bring forth both good and bad fruit and still be a good tree.

With their mouths and words, they pronounce their own Doom.

“For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness (vanity), they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness (wantonness), the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves (servants) of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage,” NKJV, 2 Peter 2:18-19, emphasis added.

This is a warning against false teachers who were leading others astray within the Christian faith. These false teachers use arrogant, impressive-sounding, and empty rhetoric to impress and deceive Christians who are trying to leave behind their sinful lives. They entice people, especially new or vulnerable believers, with appeals to fleshly desires such as sexual sin or self-indulgence. False teachers promise freedom and liberty from strict moral constraints under the guise of Christian liberty, while they are often slaves of their sins. Whatever controls you is your master and lord. If your life is characterized by sin, you are the slave of sin, and it is your master/lord. You are not a faithful or true follower of Christ if these false teachers seduce you.

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple”. Romans 16:17-18, NKJV. Paul is again talking to believers in Christ. He tells them to be aware and take note of those false brethren who cause division or teach things contrary to what they were taught. Avoid those who cause strife and distort the truth of God. False teachers/pastors may appear to be genuine, but they are servants of their own appetites or fleshly desires, such as pride, ambition, or indulgences of the flesh. They use fair words and speech to deceive simple Christians. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is truly of Christ. We know them by their fruit. If they encourage sin in others by their words and deeds, they are false teachers, notwithstanding their abilities to use words to impress and convince others of their false teachings.

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:1-5, NKJV.

God commissioned Paul and his fellow servants of God to bring these words to them and others. Paul and his followers have rejected the secretive, shameful, and dishonest ways of the world. They do not use tricks or empty rhetoric to twist the truth of God to manipulate people. Instead, they use the truth plainly and openly, appealing to the conscience of every listener, knowing that the one true God is watching them all. If their gospel of Jesus Christ is hidden and people do not understand it, it is hidden only to those who are lost because they refuse to believe the truth. Satan has blinded their minds so they can’t see or understand the truth. Paul does not preach about himself but about Jesus Christ.

^“ For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore, watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears”. Acts 20:29-31, NKJV.

This is part of Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders. He is warning them that dangerous, so-called Christians who are false teachers/leaders will come into the Christian church after he leaves. These are predators who will harm the church or flock. These false ones will not care for the church but will destroy and exploit it for their gain. These will even come from within the church, twisting, misleading, and deceiving others with the perverse teachings. Their objective is to gain a following for themselves, not Christ.

“He answered and said unto them, well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” In verse twelve, it is written, “And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or mother.” KJV. Mark 7:6-7, 12.

Jesus is speaking of the religious leaders (Pharisees and scribes) who were claiming that the disciples of Jesus were violating the traditions of the elders by not washing their hands before they ate. Jesus is condemning religious hypocrisy. These leaders appeared outwardly to be very pious and devout in their regard for the things of God, but they were not. Their religion was only for show and was not of the heart. They taught that their man-made traditions and doctrines were more important than God’s commandments. When a Jew had parents needing help, they were told not to help them but to give to the leadership. They nullified the commandment of God for the sake of man-made doctrine and traditions. True worship of God originates from the heart, not merely from ritual or outward appearances.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-4, KJV, emphasis added.

The evangelical church today and its leaders, teachers, and pastors have turned the grace of God into lasciviousness and ignored this warning and others like it. These have abused the grace of God and turned it into an invitation for ongoing sinful living and excuses for sinful living in Christianity. Lasciviousness is the unrestrained indulgence in sinful desires, lewdness, sexual immorality, or shameless behavior. And living that way ignores moral restraint, but especially in the areas of sensuality and self-gratification. How is that true, you may ask? When these false teachers tell their churches that sin is normal and to be expected in the life of a genuine believer, they are turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, are they not? Shame on them.

Promoting the idea that God’s grace serves as a license to sin with impunity is a clear indication of a false teacher. When a false leader tells his flock (directly or even indirectly) to ignore biblical standards for sex, honesty, or humility, they claim we are under grace and not the law. When leaders preach a gospel without repentance from sin, they are teaching a gospel that encourages ongoing sin.

               “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth forth not good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20, KJV.

Jesus warns us that false teachers and false prophets may look harmless, but they are dangerous on the inside. We know the false prophets by their fruit. How they live and what they teach are critical. A godly person will only bring forth godly fruit in word and deed. If a so-called prophet or teacher tells you that with the grace and power of God, you are unable to have victory over sin, they are leading you astray. Do not believe them or follow them. See also these passages: Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Peter 3:16-17.

All false Christian teachers and pastors refuse to:

• Obey the Scriptures that command and promise victory over sin,
• Stop sinning and making excuses for sin,
• Produce deeds worthy of repentance,
• Cleanse themselves right now of all filthiness and the overflow of wickedness,
• To obey Jesus and go and sin no more,
• Stop arguing against Christian righteousness, purity of heart, and moral uprightness. They refuse to let Christians believe they can be righteous and pure of heart in this life.
• Stop impugning those few Christians who call all believers to a life of holiness.
• Offer Christians something better than a life of constant sinning.
• Offer Christians victory over the flesh, the world, and the devil.  
• Stop glorying in their shame,
• Stop loving the world and the flesh,
• Stop rejoicing in their iniquity and mocking God in their platitudes and false worship.
• Stop their lies, which make the heart of the righteous sad,
• Stop strengthening the hand of the wicked so that no one turns from the lust of their flesh and pride of life that they might be saved.
• Stop proclaiming peace when there is no peace for the wicked, including the wicked Christian.
• Stop healing the hurt (sin) of the people slightly (promising them liberty in their sins) by sowing among them the thorns of rebellion and obstinacy, walking in the imaginations of their hearts, pursuing their gain.
• Stop telling the flock/church that the hearers of the Word of God will be saved and that the doers of the Word of God do not exist.
• Stop telling us that all Christians live in more or less sin, making them hearers and not doers of the word, but are guaranteed heaven nonetheless.

Out of their mouths and by their own words, these false teachers are condemned. They hear the word of God but will not believe it and do it. They are forever learning but never able to come to a ‘Precise and Correct’ knowledge of the Truth. And they faithfully corrupt all who will listen to them and not take the time to prove their words against the Word of God.

               For most of them, the soil of their hearts has grown hard and cannot be broken up by the Spirit of conviction as they store up wrath against the Day of Wrath, obstinately impenitent in their delusions. They despise the riches and forbearances of God when He sends them messengers crying in the wilderness for a self-cleansing repentance from sin that would avert God’s destruction and heal them and their land—woe unto those who will not heed His warnings and turn from their sins.

At every turn, they ignore and or reverse the will of God. Jesus said: A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But most of the false Christian prophets and teachers tell their church members that God doesn’t see your bad/evil and only sees the good that Jesus imputes to your account. At most every turn, these clouds without water proclaim with their words, out of their mouths, what God warns against and condemns.

By our words we will be justified or damned. Make the tree good and its fruit will be good. But make the tree bad, and its fruit will be the destruction of your soul. The Father said, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.” What great advice that is.