Is there really power in your words?
I remember growing up and my mom telling me “if you don’t have anything good to say then don’t say anything at all.” In other words, think before you speak. It is so important that we learn to take God’s words seriously. He said in (Proverbs 18:21) “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit”. It’s important to see that the man who created and framed this world with His mouth is also explaining to us why we should “think before we speak”.
According to the Scriptures, the tongue has a power. Notice it says here, “the power of the tongue”. It’s obvious that the power referred to here is not the physical power of the tongue as a muscle, but the power of the words it produces. I’ve never heard of the word “tongue” used in relation to God Himself. It’s a word used of human speech. So we can see that the Word of God is saying that our speech is tremendously important, powerful and significant. So much so that our words are a matter of life and death.
Perhaps this is why Jesus declared, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.” (Matthew 12:36). “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37). These declarations of Jesus Christ should cause us to sit up and take notice, and consider very carefully what kind of words are coming out of our mouths and why.
Written or spoken, words are continuously propelling us through life. They lift us up, drag us down, wound us deeply or heal our hearts. Words have the power to break confidences, build lifelong alliances or start wars. Words can make or break us, both as individuals and as a society. What have you been saying lately?
Words have set whole nations in motion…Give me the right word and the right accent and I will move the world. Joseph Conrad
The words you speak can have a profound effect on the people they reach. Are you encouraging or discouraging? Or are you tearing down your own family with words of criticism, bitterness and judgment? Are you causing the destruction of your self-esteem by speaking ill suited words over yourself, your health and prosperity?
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. –Dorothy Nevill
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. –Jesus Christ