The Sins of the

Mouth

by

Creflo A. Dollar Jr.

Editorial services provided by:

David Holland

Cover design by:

Personal Retouch

Marcus and Elizabeth Macon

188 Clydesdale Lane

Mableton, GA 30059

404 944-1223

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are

from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 1-885072-01-5

Copyright © 1994

Creflo A. Dollar Jr.

All Rights Reserved

Introduction

One of the most powerful weapons on the

face of the earth is located approximately one

inch below your nose. I’m referring to your

mouth.

I’m convinced most Christians don’t

really understand how tremendously

destructive their mouths can be. The

implements of this destruction are rumors,

gossip, backbiting and bad reports. You can

destroy a person’s life with words. Whole

ministries can be reduced to nothing because

of the mouth of one individual.

Tragically, this kind of thing is as

prevalent in much of the Body of Christ today

as it is in the world. This repeatedly warns us

to carefully guard what comes forth from our

mouths.

Set a watch, O LORD, before my

5

mouth; keep the door of my lips. (Psalm

141:3)

LORD, who shall abide in thy

tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy

hill? He that... speaketh the truth in his

heart. He that backbiteth not with his

tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour,

nor taketh up a reproach against his

neighbour. (Psalm 15:1-3)

I believe with all my heart that

eliminating sins of the mouth is a major key to

seeing the glory of God manifested in our

lives and in the church. In the next few pages,

we’re going to take a hard look at what God’s

Word has to say about the use of your mouth

and discover some biblical principles that will

enable you to make your mouth a source of

blessing rather than cursing.

6

The Sins of the Mouth

1

The “Bad Report”

One of the most widespread sins of the

mouth in the Church today is the “bad report.”

What is a bad report? It is using words, a tone

of voice or a facial expression to communicate

something negative about another individual.

Yes, even a facial expression can deliver a

bad report. When someone comes to you and

asks, “What do you think about brother So-

and-So?” and you respond by frowning and

shaking your head, you’ve communicated

more clearly than you could ever do with

words.

Why is this so harmful? Because a bad

report damages a person’s reputation with

information that doesn’t need to be shared. It

encourages the spread of discord and strife

among others. It breeds every form of evil.

7

“But Pastor Dollar, what if it is my

responsibility to communicate some negative

information to the leadership in my church?”

There are times when a person’s

responsibilities in the church call for him to

bring negative information to a leader.

However, it is still a bad report if you do not

first go to the person involved with the

purpose of restoring him or her in a scriptural

way.

When you hear a rumor or bad report

about a fellow believer, rather than passing it

on, it is your responsibility to go to that

person in love and deal with it. This is what I

call the law of confrontation.

This means not sitting back in false

humility saying, “I am not getting into that. I

am going to stay holy and separate.” Such an

attitude is not biblical.

Moreover if thy brother shall

trespass against thee, go and tell him his

fault between thee and him alone: if he

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shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy

brother. (Matthew 18:15)

Following the law of confrontation would

eliminate 95% of all bad reports from the

Body of Christ. It would also keep you from

prejudging someone before you ever get a

chance to know them.

For example, have you ever received a

bad report about a certain individual and then

later found it to be totally false once you got

acquainted with them? How many times have

we prejudged brothers and sisters in Christ

simply because we accepted a bad report at

face value?

That’s why it is so important not to let

anyone give you a bad report about another

believer, especially when you’ve never had a

chance to get to know that person for yourself.

I often find myself in that situation with

other people in the ministry. Someone will

approach me and say, “You know, I’ve heard

Brother Smith is... etcetera, etcetera.” I cut

9

them off and ask, “Have you gone to that

brother with this? I would prefer not to hear it

unless you’ve spoken with him about it and

you want me to go back to him with you.”

Ninety-nine times out of 100, that ends that.

Making Things Right

In the book of James, we’re told the

tongue is a spark that can set devastating fires

ablaze.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of

iniquity: so is the tongue among our

members, that it defileth the whole body,

and setteth on fire the course of nature;

and it is set on fire of hell. (James 3:6)

When you give a bad report about

someone, you’re setting such a fire. But it is

possible to put that fire out before it has done

too much damage. How do you do that? By

repenting and asking that person for

forgiveness.

The sooner you do this, the better. You

10

can be assured they will eventually find out

what you said anyway. You might as well go

ahead and make it right. In Luke 12:3 Jesus

said:

“Therefore whatsoever ye have

spoken in darkness shall be heard in the

light; and that which ye have spoken in

the ear in closets shall be proclaimed

upon the housetops.”

When you speak negatively against a

brother, God himself is grieved. It creates

resistance in the spirit realm, resistance to you

getting your prayers answered, resistance to

your being blessed.

When you ask forgiveness of that person,

fellowship with God is restored and the way is

cleared to discuss the offense which prompted

the bad report.

This is also true of the person about whom

you spoke. When he or she hears what you

said, they are going to be grieved. That person

is going to put up walls of defense and

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resistance against you and everyone you told.

Their trust has been damaged.

God doesn’t want that to happen in the

Body of Christ because it creates division.

Unity is the key to the manifestation of God’s

glory. When unity is under attack, the glory is

under attack.

Even though you’ve asked God and the

person you talked about to forgive you, you’re

still not through. You must also ask

forgiveness of everyone to whom you

delivered the bad report.

When you deliver a negative or damaging

message about someone, God holds you

responsible for how the people who heard you

respond and act. That is why it is vital that

you go to those you’ve corrupted with your

evil communication and apologize. You

should also encourage them to go to those

they’ve told and do the same.

This stops them from repeating the

negative information further and challenges

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them to give only good reports in the future.

Simply getting convicted and apologizing

to the person you’ve talked about isn’t

enough. By delivering a bad report you’ve set

a fire. To truly make things right before God,

you must do your best to put that fire out.

“Forgive Me”

When the Spirit of the Lord convicts you

about spreading a bad report about a brother

or sister in Christ, it is vital that you go to

those you’ve poisoned with those words and

ask them to forgive you.

“How?” you ask. Simply say, “God has

convicted me about what I said the other day.

I was wrong in spreading a bad report and

have purposed to ask that person to forgive

me. I’m asking you to forgive me, too.”

It’s as simple as that. When you offer that

kind of apology from a sincere and repentant

heart, you nip a destructive progression in the

bud.

13

That however, is the easy part. Asking

forgiveness of the person you spoke about is

more difficult. To do so effectively, you must

search your heart and uncover the hidden

attitudes that prompted you to spread the evil

message in the first place. Often it is jealousy,

resentment or pride. Whatever the underlying

cause, it’s important to confess it and get it

out in the open.

One example would be: “Sister, I have

been wrong in having a spirit of jealousy

towards you. I know I have reflected that

attitude in talking about you to others. I have

asked them to forgive me and would be

grateful if you would do the same.”

That kind of message must be delivered in

a spirit of true humility. Unfortunately, when

many Christians finally get around to

apologizing, they only do it halfway and half-

heartedly. They’ll say something like, “If I

have done something to offend you, please

forgive me.”

Don’t offer up a weak, false apology like

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that. If you know you’ve done something

wrong, own up to it and get it right.

An Abominable Offense

In the sixth chapter of Proverbs we find a

verse that tells us just how serious God is

about His people avoiding gossip and

backbiting.

These six things doth the LORD hate:

yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands

that shed innocent blood, An heart that

deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be

swift in running to mischief, A false

witness that speaketh lies, and he that

soweth discord among brethren.

(Proverbs 6:16-19)

All seven of these are attitudes or actions

which damage other people. According to this

scripture, God hates all of them but the

seventh is set apart for special attention.

Sowing discord among brethren, we’re told, is

an “abomination.”

15

An abomination is a disgusting, detestable

thing. That’s how strongly God feels about

anything that creates strife or division among

His people. When you participate in gossip or

spreading a bad report, you’re sowing discord

in the Body of Christ.

Child of God, you must be very watchful

about what you repeat to others. How can you

possibly expect to walk in blessings and

power while participating in an activity that is

an abomination to Almighty God?

This is a serious thing we’re talking about

here. There are Christians who have been

removed from planet earth because they

stubbornly continued to sow discord and strife

in the Church. God was forced to withdraw

His protective hand because they simply

couldn’t control their tongues.

An Antidote for Evil

“But Pastor Dollar, what should I do if

someone asks me about something bad that I

have knowledge of? Should I lie?”

16

Of course not. There is no need to lie

simply to avoid passing on a bad report. One

option is to remain silent. Let the old saying,

“If you can’t say something good about

someone, say nothing at all,” be your rule. But

there is an even better course of action. We

find it prescribed in Romans 12:21:

Be not overcome of evil, but

overcome evil with good.

When someone comes to you looking for

an evil report, simply overcome it by offering

them a good one instead. Find something

positive to say and let that be your report.

Don’t fall into the old, “I just want to know

what’s going on so I’ll know how to pray,”

trap. It’s just an evil desire to hear gossip on

someone else’s part. Don’t feed it. Overcome

evil with good.

“Have You Heard...?”

Now you know how to deal with a person

who asks you for a bad report. But what about

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the person who comes to you wanting to

deliver one? Do you know the best way to

handle that situation to avoid involvement in

what God calls an abomination?

There are a number of different ways to

handle this situation. We’ve already made

reference to one. Stop the messenger in mid-

sentence and lovingly ask them if they’ve

discussed this with the person they’re talking

about. If the answer is “yes,” ask them if they

are now discussing it with you because they

want you to go with them to confront that

person with the intent of restoring him or her.

Unless that is the sincere purpose of

telling you about that negative situation, you

have no business listening to it. Simply say,

“I’m sorry, I can’t in good conscience allow

you to tell me anymore about that situation.

I’ve discovered another way to stop a

gossiper before they contaminate my soul

with their poison. It’s found in Proverbs

25:23.

18

The north wind driveth away rain: so

doth an angry countenance a backbiting

tongue.

The next time someone comes up to you

itching to tell you a juicy tidbit of gossip, give

them your best scowl. They’ll say, “What’s

wrong with you?” That’s your opportunity to

let them know you’re not interested in hearing

anything but a good report.

Most of us do just the opposite. When

someone says, “Guess what I heard about

her?” our ears perk up as we crane our necks

in anticipation of hearing some good “dirt” on

someone.

Don’t be that way. Let the look on your

face be a big “NOT WELCOME” sign for

gossip and bad reports.

Approaching the Offender

From time to time you will find yourself

in a situation in which you must deliver a bad

report about someone else. It may be someone

19

who works under you and you are required to

evaluate their performance on the job. It might

be a person who works with you in a ministry

of the church and the pastor asks your opinion

of their activity.

When you must give a public statement

about another person and you cannot

truthfully give a good report, it is your

responsibility to go to them in advance and

privately attempt to restore them.

Before you do that, however, you must

first thoroughly examine your own life.

Remember Jesus’ words about removing the

beam in your own eye before you point out

the speck in a brother’s. (Matthew 7:3, 4)

What types of offenses should prompt you

to go to another in this manner? That depends

on the level of friendship or relationship you

have with them.

Thoughtlessness is a common offense in a

friendship. Laziness or incompetence can

create problems in the workplace. In reality,

20

any number of actions can constitute an

offense that calls for loving confrontation.

You’ll find a list of some of the more serious

ones in I Corinthians 5:11.

But now I have written unto you not

to keep company, if any man that is called

a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or

an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or

an extortioner; with such an one no not to

eat.

The Bible makes it very plain that these

offenses should be confronted in the hope that

the person will repent and start moving in

another direction. It is equally clear that we

are to have nothing to do with those who insist

on living in rebellion to God and His Word.

Approaching an Elder

One of the most potentially awkward

situations arises when you need to confront a

person who is older or in spiritual authority

over you.

21

As in all such circumstances, having the

proper heart-attitude is of the utmost

importance. God’s Word gives us some

valuable instruction in this area:

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him

as a father; and the younger men as

brethren; (I Timothy 5:1)

This verse gives us both the attitude and

the method for properly confronting an older

person. We must come with the heart of a

servant. We must come, not on the basis of

what is offending us, but rather on what is

best for them.

I have used these guidelines successfully

on many occasions. I will approach an older

person and say something like this: “Sir, I

know you have been involved in this area for

many years. I’m learning a lot and still have

much to learn. But may I respectfully point

out something that you may not be seeing? It

may be of help to you and help you better

accomplish your goals.”

22

When dealing with an older person,

attitude is the key. If your attitude is wrong, it

doesn’t matter what words you use. Your

attitude overrides your words.

Dealing with leadership is a little

different.

The first thing you should do when you

become convinced that your spiritual

leadership is missing it, is pray. Pray long.

Pray hard. The problem may very well be with

you rather than your leader.

If the leader genuinely does have a

problem, nothing will be as effective as

prayer. If he is really a man of God, God can

get His attention and move him in the right

direction.

If the man is stiff-necked, rebellious and

hardhearted, you probably don’t have any

business sitting under his ministry anyway.

Don’t sit under a person who is living his life

in willful sin.

If after praying for an extended period of

23

time, you still feel you need to personally

address the situation that is bothering you with

your leader, do it with the same attitude with

which you would approach an older person.

Assure your leader that you are committed

to his vision for ministry and want to be of

service in helping advance and achieve that

vision. Your message is much more likely to

be received if you can say that with honesty

and sincerity.

Talking About Leadership

Not only is it vital to avoid sinning in the

way you talk to leadership, it is also essential

to do the right thing in talking about your

spiritual leaders.

How many times have you had the

opportunity to join someone in criticizing

your pastor? It seems there is a never-ending

supply of Christians who know much better

than the man God has placed in leadership

over a church how things ought to be run.

These same people are always looking for

24

someone to agree with them and join them in

their grumbling.

There are basically two ways to respond

when given the opportunity to speak

negatively about a leader. Suppose a fellow

church member approached you and said, “Do

you agree with the position the pastor has

taken on this issue?” If you really do have

some questions in your mind about the matter

you’ll be tempted to say, “Why no, I don’t! I

don’t think he understands the problem or sees

the whole picture.”

If you say something like that, you’ve just

sinned with your mouth. The proper response

would be, “Rather than making a public

comment, I think it would be more

appropriate if I discussed it with the pastor in

private. I’m praying for the pastor and I know

God is in control.”

That is the response of a mature Christian.

Spiritual babies don’t exercise that kind of

control over their tongues.

25

Discernment vs. Judgment

Sometimes you’ll hear a Christian who is

constantly pointing out the flaws and failings

of others defend this practice in the name of

something called “discernment.” “I’m not

judging the brother,” you’ll hear them say

piously, “but the Bible tells us to have

discernment.”

Yes, there is such a thing as biblical

discernment. But many believers who think

they are operating in spiritual discernment are

really doing nothing more than fleshly finger

pointing and judging.

There is a difference between discernment

and judgment. Knowing the difference will

help you avoid sinning with your mouth.

One who discerns, thoroughly examines

himself before evaluating the actions of

others.

Let every man examine himself. For

if we judge ourselves, we should not be

judged. (I Corinthians 11:28, 31)

26

On the other hand, one who judges,

condemns others for the very problems he is

yet to overcome.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O

man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for

wherein thou judgest another, thou

condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest

doest the same things. (Romans 2:1)

But why dost thou judge thy brother?

or why dost thou set at naught thy

brother? for we shall all stand before the

judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10)

God’s Word is full of warnings about

getting into judgment toward other believers.

God doesn’t need you to pass judgment on

anyone. He can handle the job without your

help.

There is another way that discernment

differs from judgment. One who discerns

checks the accuracy of all the information

before reaching a conclusion. One who judges

forms opinions based on first impressions and

27

hearsay. The “judge” looks for evidence to

support the opinion he or she has already

formed. They look for validation and

confirmation of their biases and prejudices.

What does the Bible have to say about

this? Here are just a few of the many

scriptures that speak to this important subject:

But he that is spiritual judgeth all

things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

(I Corinthians 2:15)

Prove all things; hold fast that which

is good. (I Thessalonians 5:21)

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but

try the spirits whether they are of God:

because many false prophets are gone out

into the world. (1 John 4:1)

Judge not according to the

appearance, but judge righteous

judgment. (John 7:24)

Doth our law judge any man, before

it hear him, and know what he doeth?

28

(John 7:51)

Speak not evil one of another,

brethren. He that speaketh evil of his

brother, and judgeth his brother,

speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the

law: but if thou judge the law, thou art

not a doer of the law, but a judge. (James

4:11)

There is yet a third contrast between

judgment and discernment. One who discerns

deals as privately as possible with the problem

he sees. The one who judges, publicly exposes

those he condemns.

As we have seen, the very words of Jesus

Himself validate this principle:

Moreover if thy brother shall

trespass against thee, go and tell him his

fault between thee and him alone: if he

shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy

brother. (Matthew 18:15)

Purpose in your heart to always operate in

discernment, never judgment.

29

Reproving (Rebuking) vs. Railing

(Reviling)

No discussion of sins of the mouth would

be complete without a biblical examination of

the act of reproving. This is another area in

which many believers misread the Bible and

get off into sin.

There is a time, a place and a method for

reproving or rebuking a fellow Christian. The

scripture makes this clear. But the Bible also

talks about a sin called “railing” or “reviling.”

Many believers think they are engaged in the

godly act of reproving when, in reality, they

are engaged in the sin of railing. What’s the

difference? Let’s look at the Scriptures and

see.

To reprove, means to lovingly encourage

another believer to correct a fault or area of

sin. A rebuke is similar only stronger. To

rebuke takes on the essence of a command.

Railing (or reviling), on the other hand,

means to reproach, denounce, insult or speak

30

evil of. Railing is one of the things we saw

listed in 1 Corinthians (along with fornication

and idolatry) that was grounds for breaking

fellowship.

One who reproves seeks to restore the

offender through exhortation. One who rails

seeks only to expose a person he or she has

already judged. By bringing someone else

down, they seek to elevate themselves.

Railing is nasty business. The thief on the

cross that mocked Jesus is described as

railing. (Luke 23:39) We’re told that others

who mocked Jesus as He died for them “railed

on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah,

thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it

in three days.”

In sharp contrast to railing, godly reproof

combines love with truth.

But speaking the truth in love, may

grow up into him in all things, which is

the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:15)

Truth without love is harshness. Love

31

without truth is compromise.

A Commitment

Make a quality commitment right now

before the Lord. Purpose in your heart to

never again speak a bad report about a brother

or sister in Christ. Determine before God to

speak only those things that are true, honest,

just, pure, lovely and of good report.

(Philippians 4:8)

Do that and you’ll avoid the sins of the

mouth. You’ll please God and be a vessel that

is worthy to display His glory.

32

BOOKS BY CREFLO A. DOLLAR

JR.

* Capturing the Reality of Heaven and Hell

* Confidence: The Missing Substance of Faith

* The Divine Order of Faith: How to Get from the

Problem to the Answer

* Exposing the Spirit of Competitive Jealousy

* The Force of Integrity

* Hearing from God and Walking in the Comfort of the

Holy Spirit

* Lasciviousness: The Results of Neglect

* Rightness vs. Righteousness

* Understanding God’s Purpose for the Anointing

* Attitudes

TAPE SERIES BY CREFLO A.

DOLLAR JR.

* Deliverance from Lasciviousness

* Destroying the Root of Debt

* How to Experience a Deeper Life in Prayer

* God Wants You Healed

* Understanding the Season of Sowing and Reaping

* Understanding God’s Way to Financial Prosperity

* Covenant Love

* Healing Your Marriage with Love and Affection

* God’s Plan for the Christian Family

* The Covenant of Marriage

NON-SERIES TAPES BY CREFLO

A. DOLLAR JR.

* The Mind: The arena of Faith (Part 1)

* The Mind: The arena of Faith (Part 2)

* Unforgiveness: A Hindrance to Faith

* How to Turn your Faith Loose

* Making a Commitment to Do God’s Will

* A Revelation of Love

* Commitment to Serve

If you would like more information about this ministry,

or are interested in becoming a partner, please write:

World Changers Ministries

Post Office Box 490124

College Park, Georgia 30349

Document Outline

- The Sins of the Mouth

- Introduction

- 1 The Sins of the Mouth

- The “Bad Report”

- Making Things Right

- “Forgive Me”

- An Abominable Offense

- An Antidote for Evil

- “Have You Heard...?”

- Approaching the Offender

- Approaching an Elder

- Talking About Leadership

- Discernment vs. Judgment

- Reproving (Rebuking) vs. Railing (Reviling)

- A Commitment

Table of Contents

The Sins of the Mouth

Introduction

1 The Sins of the Mouth

Making Things Right

“Forgive Me”

An Abominable Offense

An Antidote for Evil

“Have You Heard...?”

Approaching the Offender

Approaching an Elder

Talking About Leadership

Discernment vs. Judgment

Reproving (Rebuking) vs. Railing (Reviling)

A Commitment