Welcome to Sunday Fuel! This series of questions is designed to assist your personal reflection and fellowship with others about the sermon from this past Sunday.

Go to This Sunday’s Sermon (start at 18:57)

Our words are worship moments: will we use them to gain our own ends or honor and love God in our interactions with others?

1. While we may not outright lie, there are many ways we can be untruthful with our words. Pastor Kim mentioned deception, exaggeration, evasion, embellishment, white lies, flattery, dishonesty about intentions, and hiding our faith when we should speak up for Christ. Do any of these hit home for you?

2. Take a moment to think of the last time you used one of these methods. What were you trying to gain or accomplish? Were you trying to motivate, convince, or even control another person? Were you trying to manage their perception of you? Were you trying to avoid negative consequences?

3. Pray: Be honest with yourself and with God through confession. Admit that in these ways you have exalted yourself instead of living before Him (Coram Deo) and below Him (as king of the universe). Ask Him to help you grow in humility in how you speak.

4. Think of the interactions you will have with others today or this week. When might you be tempted to shade the truth or use one of the methods above to gain your own ends? In those moments, how can you speak truthfully instead? Consider:

• What are you afraid of that you need to trust the Lord with, instead of using your words to control the outcome?
• Is there something you have committed to, big or small, that you need to follow through with? Is there something you need to do to make your words real to another person? How do you need to act so you are true to your word?
• How might you demonstrate through your words and life your commitment to God, as an act of worship?
• How might you use your words to build up, encourage, or point others to the truth found in God’s Word?
• Is there an area of your life you need help with instead of just saying “I’m fine”? What about your struggle will you share with a trusted friend? If you’re in counseling, are there things you need to be honest with to your counselor?