The Power of Words

“Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement” -Proverbs 15:4 (TLB)

All throughout the Bible it's evident that our words are powerful and that they hold the power to either bring life and healing, or destruction and harm. Something Jesus emphasized when he walked the earth was that we need to pay attention to, and guard what words we allow out of our mouths.

 

 

When God created the universe, the Bible tells us that "He SPOKE, and it came to be" (Psalm 33:9). Out of nothing but words, something was created. God merely said the word, and in an instant, the universe was formed. I believe that when God spoke the universe into existence, He did so as an example, in order that we may follow in His footsteps. He could have merely thought the world into existence, but He specifically chose to SPEAK it, as an example for the power of our words. His word tells us that, "Your Words reflect your fate. Either you will be justified by them, or you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:37) and that, "the power of life and death are in the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). That's quite some power! Our words have the power to build up, or destroy, to encourage, or tear down, and God wants us to use our words in a way that is most beneficial--in a way that is edifying to God, those around us, and our very own lives. Ephesians 4:29 lovingly instructs us "[not to] use foul or abusive language." But to instead, "let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." The words we speak should reflect our faith. They should be words of love and kindness so that they will be of a benefit to those around us.

"The power of life and death are in the tongue" -Proverbs 18:21

When Jesus calmed the raging seas, He spoke and commanded them to calm down. In Matthew 4:39 we are told that “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm."

 

Before David defeated Goliath, he spoke words of victory out loud by telling Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47). How awesome is that! David spoke words of victory before it even happened! His words were a reflection of his faith in God.

Let your words be a reflection of your faith.

Like David, God has given us power in the words we choose to speak. He has given us the ability to use destructive words of harm, or life-giving words of encouragement and faith. The Bible tells us that as humans, we have been created in God's image and likeness (Genesis 1:27) and therefore as His children, we've inherited some of the rights to use God's power for His glory. He's given us power in our words to use them for good or evil.

"Your Words reflect your fate" -Matthew 12:37

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that "those who love to talk will suffer the consequences." And that, we must learn to be "quick to listen and slow to speak" (James 1:19). This week I challenge you to live according the verse in Ephesians 4:29. To "not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only that which is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." In other words, to guard your tongue and what words you permit out of your mouth. To say ONLY that which is beneficial and edifying. To speak words that build up instead of tear down. I challenge you to do this not only in the way you speak to others, but also in the way you speak to yourself and about your own life. Don't be the kind of person that's always speaking words of complaint and defeat. Instead, be like David, who even before he saw victory in his life, spoke words of victory OUT LOUD and IN ADVANCE! In other words, speak bold words of faith! Speak in a way knowing that God is on your side, and that through Him your battles are already won!

Speak in a way knowing that God is on your side, and that through Him your battles are already won!

Take-away Verses:

"The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do... It always ready to spill out deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! " -James 3:5-15

"Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29