The Power of Words
Melinda Clark
The Power of Words
Did you know that on average women speak around 20,000 words a day? That’s a lot! Honestly, I probably speak more than that. (oof) But regardless of how many words you speak, your words hold A LOT of weight.
We are given a choice on how we use our words. We can either use them for good or bad. We can either be positive or negative. We can uplift or tear down. We can pierce or we can heal. We can complain, or we can thank.
The Bible says a lot about our tongue and the words that come out of our mouth.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.We are accountable for the things that come out of our mouths, and sometimes I think it’s easy to forget that.
Heal or Hurt
Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health. // Proverbs 18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Think about it.
Do the words that we say pierce wounds into people? Or do they put a “bandaid” on wounds that someone may already have?
We have the power through the Holy Spirit to put a spiritual “balm” over someone’s hurts with the words that come out of our mouth. Too often, instead of healing, we hurt.
Build up or Tear Down
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Do we build up with our words? Do we encourage people to help them up, or do we “kick” them while they’re down? When we see someone struggling physically, spiritually, emotionally, or mentally we can use our words to share scripture, be an encouragement, or to push them to do well. With our words we have the power to make someone feel better or to make them feel worse. It’s important.
Gossip
Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. James 4:11 - Speak not evil one of another, brethren…
I truly believe that gossip is one of the biggest sins that Christians struggle with. It seems like it’s harder for us to fall into the sin of alcohol, drugs, immorality, etc. But we will so quickly go talk about another person with zero thought to how they would feel if they heard the words come out of our mouth. We criticize, make fun, judge and belittle people with our words. The Bible says that gossip literally hurts people. I think if we thought about the person and how they would feel before we talk about them, we would stop talking. We talk about the appearance, struggles, and personality of someone that the Lord created and loves.
Praise and Worship
O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. Psalm 117:1-2
Psalm 63: 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
On a more positive note, How many of our words are spent on praise and worship?
It should be natural for us to go throughout our day and praise God and worship Him. I think the easiest way to do that is through song. Have a song in your heart and keep it on your lips throughout the day.
The Bible says “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” And “The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable:”
Lastly, not everything that comes in our mind should come out of our mouth. We don’t have to say everything. Positive or Negative. Use your words wisely, be purposed to use them for only good. Let them be a well of life that people can draw from!