A. In general, we who are Christians know the words we should not say, and we avoid them. We know not to curse, use profanity, blaspheme, lie, or gossip.
B. However, there are some words we should say that we wrongly omit due to ignorance, embarrassment, or carnality. Let us consider a few of these words and how we should use them.
II. AMEN
A. The word "amen" means verily or truly.
1. The origin of this word is Hebrew (אָמֵן), and it has been transliterated into Greek (ἀμήν, pronounced ä-mān') and English.
2. In Scripture, the word "amen" is typically used at the beginning of a sentence to affirm the truth of what is about to be said. In seventy-four verses, Scripture records Jesus starting a sentence by saying, "Amen, I say to you...", or more commonly translated as, "Truly, I say to you..."
3. When used at the end of a sentence, "amen" also means "truly" or "of the truth," but perhaps it is best understood to mean "so be it" or "let it be." The usage is common in the Bible's epistles.
B. Christians should use this word to affirm the truth spoken by others, express agreement with it, and take ownership of it.
1. The tradition of saying "amen" after the saying of prayer, the reading of Scripture, the praise of God, or the giving of exhortation traces back to ancient Israel. Examples are found in Deuteronomy 27:15-26, 1Chronicles 16:36, and Psalm 106:48.
2. In New Testament times, this tradition was brought from the synagogues into the churches.
3. The fact that Christians should continue the tradition of saying "amen" in this way is affirmed in Matthew 6:13, 1Corinthians 14:16-17, and many other examples throughout the epistles.
4. Furthermore, Revelation 5:14, 7:12, and 19:4 show that this word is being used in heaven in the praises of God. Surely (amen), it is also good for us to do the same here on earth.
III. IF THE LORD WILLS
A. Many times it is necessary for us to make plans for the future, but we must be careful to remain always in submission to God.
1. The wisdom of planning is declared in Proverbs 21:5, which says, "The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty."
2. However, our plans must conform to God's will according to these verses:
a. Proverbs 16:3 -- Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established.
b. Proverbs 19:21 -- Many plans are in a man's heart, but the counsel of the LORD will stand.
3. In all that we do, the simple instruction James 4:7 applies: Submit therefore to God.
B. In words, this attitude of submission is expressed by saying, "If the Lord wills," or "God's will be done."
1. James shows that we must be ready to change our plans and accept God's will in James 4:13-15:
Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."
2. Likewise, Jesus taught this attitude both in His instructions and His example.
a. In the model prayer, Jesus taught us to say to the Father, "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10).
b. When Jesus prayed Himself, He said, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will" (Mark 14:36). See also Philippians 2:5-8.
3. Indeed, our plans should be conformed to the will of God as revealed in the Scriptures, and our speech should be filled with references to His will being done in our lives.
IV. MAY GOD BLESS YOU
A. When we speak blessings upon others, we are calling on God to do good for them.
1. Consider the instructions given by God to Aaron and his sons through Moses in Numbers 6:23-27. Notice that the essence of this blessing is an appeal to God for His favor on Israel:
"Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.' So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them."
2. Such a blessing is spoken with the same reverence toward the name of God that we express when we pray directly to Him. Psalm 115:14-15 demonstrates such a blessing given in reverence:
May the LORD give you increase, you and your children. May you be blessed of the LORD, Maker of heaven and earth.
B. Words of blessing should often be expressed by Christians.
1. For our fellow Christians, our words and deeds should invoke the name of God and confer blessings upon them. Our words should be "good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4:29).
2. Our words should also impart blessings upon those who are outside of Christ. Consider Colossians 4:5-6:
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
3. If we are ever cursed, persecuted, reviled, or insulted, our response must not be to reciprocate the abuse, but rather we are to bless those who afflict us. Notice these verses:
a. Luke 6:28 -- "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
b. Romans 12:14 -- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
c. 1Corinthians 4:12 -- ...when we are reviled, we bless...
d. 1Peter 3:9 -- ...not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.
e. See also James 3:9-10.
4. When we enter the houses of others or others enter our houses, we should speak blessings on those who are worthy.
a. Notice the instructions given by Christ when He sent the apostles out to preach. In Matthew 10:12-13, He said, "As you enter the house, give it your greeting. If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace."
b. In 2John 9-11, the Scripture says, "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds."
c. From these verses, we understand that those who are unworthy of our blessings are those who reject Jesus as Christ (see 2John 7 for context).
5. Notice that there is no conflict concerning blessings given to those who are not Christians.
a. We may bless those who are outside of Christ because of ignorance or misguided error by instructing them and invoking God's name on them to lead them to the truth.
b. We are even commanded to bless those who reject us, curse us, insult us, etc. Their offenses toward us do not forfeit our obligation to bless them.
c. However, we are not allowed to bless those who openly reject Christ, profane His name, blaspheme, and corrupt His word. Such persons are unworthy of blessings, and we must not endorse their conduct by blessing them, greeting them, or showing them hospitality.
V. CONCLUSION
A. In Proverbs 25:11, the Scripture says, "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances."
B. In the right circumstances, the words we have considered in this lesson are indeed like apples of gold in settings of silver. Therefore, let us speak these words appropriately so that we may make the best use of our lips for the glory of God.
