The Power of Your Words

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

Words are the most powerful thing you have in your arsenal. We can see from Proverbs that the power in our words will yield either life or death. Our choice of words will either bring encouragement or destruction. Our words will either help and heal or hinder and hurt. The very power of our words should stop us in our tracks. We must seek God’s help every minute of the day to discipline ourselves to speak with respect and gentleness.

We far too often dump any feeling, thought or impression we have on those around us without regard to the significance of our words. Our words are filters through which others view us and the world. Comments that we make predispose others to opinions not based on fact but out of anger, fear, etc. and not on love. Let’s say that I have a paper to write for school on the experiences of a veteran. If I go up to one of the veterans of the church and ask, “Can I interrogate you for a paper I have to write for class?” The answer is probably going to be an excuse to not be available to talk to me. Interrogation and interview mean basically the same thing, “systematic questioning”, however, interrogation carries a negative and even combative connotation. An opinion is formed, and a wall is either constructed or broken down. My words will either open a door or shut it directly in my face. Bible Reasons blog says this, “Words are powerful, they give expression to the abstract in ways that a single image cannot.”

There is a lot of information on the internet about the power of our words, Psychology Today, HuffPost, Lifehack, etc. all chime in and give statistics and their take on positive words but there is nothing more important than what God has to say about our words.

A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. James 3:5

Remind them…to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all people. Titus 3:2

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Psalm 34:13

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Pastor Julia Scott