Can your words change the direction of your life?

Continuing through James 3, Pastor Dale Oquist explores the disproportionate power of the tongue. Our words can build faith, bring healing, and point people toward God, but they can also spread doubt, damage relationships, and redirect the lives of others.

God takes our words more seriously than we often do. What we speak and what we choose to receive can become either a tool of heaven or a tool of hell.

This message explores:

How words determine the direction of a life

Why negative reports can produce fear and doubt

The destructive power of gossip and careless speech

Why we should not receive gossip as truth

How our words reveal the condition of our hearts

The importance of pausing, pondering, praying, and protecting

How to use our words to bring life instead of death

📖 Scripture: James 3:1-12, James 1:26, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 16:23-24, Numbers 13:30-14:10, Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 19:14

📍 Peoples Church

📅 July 26, 2026

Reflection Questions

What direction are your words creating in your life and relationships?

Have you allowed a negative report to become louder than what God has said?

Are you speaking about concerns to people who can actually help, or are you spreading gossip?

Where do you need the Holy Spirit to bring greater discipline to your words?

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