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Have you ever heard the phrase “Words are Powerful”? It’s so common that it’s more like a cliche. Believe it or not, these three simple words are more than something that sounds good in a conversation. Words truly are powerful and it’s time that we use them to our advantage.
Words Have Power to Do These 5 Things
Our words can produce so much in our lives and the lives of others. As with all things, there may be consequences to the things that we say. Let’s look at five things that our words can do.
1. Words Can Either Give Life or Kill
The Bible tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Each person gets a choice. We can decide what we say and we will eat the fruit of our words. What kinds of words do you speak on a day-to-day basis? Are your words life-giving or are they deadly?
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV
2. Words Are Powerful Enough to Heal
We can use our words to build up and encourage others. When someone is hurting, broken, grieving, etc. we can use the power in our words to edify them. The Bible says that the tongue of the wise person promotes health.
This also applies to our physical bodies. We can use the power of our words to speak healing into our bodies. We don’t have to accept sickness and disease. Use your words to declare your healing!
There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Proverbs 12:18 NKJV
3. Your Words Can Break the Spirit
Not only can our speech promote health, but it can also harm the spirit. You can break another person’s spirit, but did you know that you can also break your own spirit?
Rude and disrespectful words can be harmful to others. Avoid making people feel bad and cutting them with your words. While society may be impressed with “clapping back”, ask yourself what God has to say about it.
Negative self-talk can cause you to break your own spirit. It is often said that we are our own worst critic. This means we must be more intentional about our thoughts and the things we tell ourselves. Instead of speaking negative thoughts, we must commit to speaking only what God says about us in His word.
A [a]wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 NKJV
4. Words Turn Away Wrath
There’s a story in the Bible about Abigail. She used her words to diffuse David’s anger and prevent him from killing her husband, Nabal. You can read the full story in 1 Samuel 25.
Like Abigail, we can also use our words to turn away wrath and diffuse anger. Instead of getting caught up in the emotions of the moment, we can choose kind and gentle words to soften a person’s heart and diffuse a situation.
A soft answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NKJV
5. Words Can Ruin Your Life
The Bible says that when you guard your mouth, you preserve your life. Excessive talking and chatter can lead to destruction.
He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 13:3 NKJV
Your Words Are Powerful and Important
We must monitor our words because the Bible tells us that we will give an account for every idle word we speak. Imagine standing before God and explaining the words you’ve spoken while on earth. This is an indication of how important our words are to God.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the day of judgment.
Matthew 12:36 NKJV
The Word of God also tells us that we will have what we say. This means that our words are also important because what we say will come to pass. This very short book does an excellent job of teaching the biblical principle of having what we say.
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Mark 11:23 NKJV
Before we speak, we must slow down and ask ourselves, “Do I mean that?”. Is what you’re saying what you honestly want to see in your life? Are your feet literally killing you? Did what he said truly tickle you to death? This perspective really challenges us to be intentional with our words.
Use Words to Your Advantage
We can use our words to our advantage by speaking God’s word. Don’t speak what you see, feel, and think if it doesn’t line up with the Bible. What you see may be factual, but that doesn’t mean you should speak that. Choose to say what God says instead.
This may require you to reprogram yourself to speak God’s word instead of what the circumstance is. This means you must know what God says about your situation and practice saying what He says.
We walk by faith when we believe and speak what God says regardless of what we see happening around us. God did this very same thing in the beginning when He created the world. He called things into existence before they actually existed. Imitate God.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
II Corinthians 5:7 NKJV
Words Are Powerful, So Take Action
As you consider the idea that your words are powerful, I encourage you to pay attention to your words for the next 7 days. Correct yourself when your words don’t align with what God says.This may be challenging at first if you haven’t been intentional with your words. Ask a friend or family member to hold you accountable during this exercise.
If you enjoyed this post, read this one next: Manifestation of Faith: See it Before You See it