Life and Death in the Tongue: Pastor David Gutierrez's Message at Passionate Life Church, Littleton, CO

December 19th, 2025
by Passionate Life Church

In his sermon titled “Life and Death in the Tongue,” Pastor David Gutierrez, care and missions pastor at Passionate Life Church in Littleton, Colorado, brought a deeply convicting and heartfelt message about the power of our words. Grounded in James 3:1–12, Pastor David’s message emphasized how the smallest member of our body—our tongue—can direct, destroy, or deliver life depending on how we choose to use it.

This sermon was as pastoral as it was prophetic, issuing a direct challenge to believers to be intentional about what they speak over themselves, others, and their circumstances. Pastor David weaved together biblical truth, personal testimony, historical context, and ministry experience in Uganda to deliver a sobering but hope-filled message that resonates universally.

A Tiny Weapon With Titanic Power

The foundational scripture for the message came from James 3:1–12, a passage that explicitly warns of the destructive power of the tongue. Pastor David read the entire passage aloud, underlining the metaphor James uses: the tongue is like a rudder on a ship—small, yet capable of steering the entire vessel.

“Your words don’t describe your life; they determine it.”

With that, Pastor David explained how our words are not idle sounds but directional commands that influence our spiritual trajectory, our relationships, and our legacy. He offered an example from World War I, where Gavrilo Princip, a 19-year-old influenced by nationalistic rhetoric and propaganda, assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. That single act, rooted in decades of whispered words and revolutionary speech, triggered a war that claimed over 20 million lives.

He added a modern spiritual application: words spoken in anger, disappointment, or fear can destroy marriages, families, churches, and even individual callings. Pastor David also drew from Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” emphasizing that what we say shapes how we live.

“A whispered word can be as dangerous as a bullet if spoken at the wrong time or in the wrong spirit.”

The Spark That Starts Hell's Fire

Citing James 3:6, which refers to the tongue as “a fire, a world of evil,” Pastor David expanded on how a single word can ignite devastation akin to a wildfire. The metaphor resonated powerfully, especially in a region like Colorado, where residents are familiar with the destruction of forest fires.

“We’ve seen the devastation fire can cause. The Bible says our tongue can do the same to people, to dreams, to purpose.”

This portion of the sermon highlighted how internal toxicity manifests externally through speech. Words like “I can’t,” “It’s hopeless,” or “You’re worthless” are not just verbalizations—they’re spiritual declarations that can extinguish hope, faith, and love.

He shared personal and pastoral examples, including counseling sessions where individuals were carrying wounds from words spoken decades earlier. One particularly moving testimony was Pastor David’s own story of hearing deeply hurtful words from his mother during childhood, words that shaped his self-perception for years until Jesus healed and redefined him.

“My mom told me she should have aborted me. I can’t un-hear that. It became the seed for a lot of hate and destruction in my life—until God interrupted that narrative with His love.”

These words are not theoretical—they are real, lived experiences that Pastor David and countless others have battled. But his message was also rooted in redemption: just as words can destroy, they can also restore, when anointed by the Holy Spirit.

The Mouth: A Megaphone of the Heart

From James 3:9–10, Pastor David drew attention to the inconsistency of blessing God while cursing people, describing it as “spiritual double-mindedness.” He humorously yet sincerely warned against gossip, idle criticisms, and reactive speech—especially in the church.

“If you come to me and say, ‘Did you hear about Pastor John?’ I’ll grab you and say, ‘Let’s go tell Pastor John right now.’ That usually stops gossip cold.”

He challenged believers to consider the spiritual integrity of their conversations. Can both salt and fresh water flow from the same spring? No. Likewise, the tongue should not be used for both worship and slander.

This segment also provided practical, relational tools:

Avoid demeaning language in marriages. Never use “divorce” as a threat or bargaining chip.
Encourage regularly. Speak blessings over spouses, children, co-workers, and strangers.
Guard against criticism. If your words don’t edify, pause and pray before speaking.

He shared how, in over 28 years of marriage, he and his wife have been intentional about never using destructive language, no matter the argument. His example illustrated that marriage—and by extension, every relationship—thrives not because of perfection but because of discipline in speech.

Speaking Life Over Uganda and Local Ministry

In addition to personal testimony and scriptural truth, Pastor David used the opening portion of his message to update the congregation on their mission efforts in Uganda, demonstrating the real-world power of words through investment, sponsorship, and spiritual encouragement.

Some notable impact points:

$80,000 raised by Passionate Life Church since November.
All 12 sponsor children were matched during one service.
Uniforms were provided to protect children from human trafficking (children in uniform are perceived as having value and a place to be).
A second school building is underway to house 6th–7th grades, increasing enrollment and local sustainability.
Lives are being saved and rescued off the streets, many through the personal encouragement and ministry of local leaders supported by Passionate Life Church.

Pastor David powerfully illustrated that something as simple as telling a child in Uganda, “You are wanted,” can literally save their life.

“We’re combating human trafficking with uniforms. We’re changing lives by sponsoring kids. It all begins with a word—‘Yes.’”

Let the Holy Spirit Take the Wheel

In closing, Pastor David emphasized the importance of inviting the Holy Spirit to guide our speech. Referencing Psalm 141:3, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,” he called the congregation to spiritual maturity and verbal accountability.

He encouraged believers to pray:

“Holy Spirit, help me speak life.”
“Guard my lips when I’m angry.”
“Use my words to bring healing, not harm.”

The response time was structured around three intentional spaces:

The Cross – A place to lay down burdens or people.

The Altar – A space to physically and spiritually bow before God for help and surrender.

Prayer Partners – Available to speak words of truth and encouragement directly into people's lives.

Pastor David concluded with a call to salvation, inviting anyone who needed Jesus to raise their hand, followed by a prayer of repentance and acceptance. He affirmed the decision as one that would alter their destiny and mark the beginning of life-giving speech from a heart transformed by Christ. He encouraged those making decisions of faith to explore Next Steps with the church.

A Church That Speaks Life

What if Passionate Life Church became known as a place where life is consistently spoken? Pastor David urged the congregation to imagine a community where broken people hear they are loved, marriages are strengthened, and children are affirmed.

“Imagine if every person who walks through these doors hears, ‘You matter. Your future is bright. God has a plan for your life.’ That’s revival.”

It’s not just about changing vocabulary—it’s about shifting atmospheres with Spirit-filled speech.

The invitation is clear: speak life. In marriages. In parenting. In public. In prayer. In every place we inhabit. To take part in this Spirit-led community, consider joining a Life Group or reaching out through our Contact Page.