I was recently reminded of just how powerful words are. From what we say to ourselves and those around us. The number of words we use and our word choice itself also have a great impact.
How we speak to ourselves matters.
Matthew 12:33 NKJV “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.”
Personally, I usually think of this passage as one about our actions, but it can also reflect our heart. Our words reflect our heart. If we want to speak life into our lives and the lives of those around us, we need to be filled with God’s love. We cannot speak life into anyone else if we do not first speak it to ourselves. We need to continually renew our minds and hearts with the truth of God’s Word. We need to take our thoughts captive, and bring the negative ones to the foot of the cross and ask God to give us good thoughts rather than the bad ones that just popped into our minds. We cannot love others if we do not first love ourselves. Trust me, I have tried. It might work for a day or two, but not long-term. We can try to filter ourselves all we want, but in the heat of the moment, we sometimes say the wrong thing. God and I are working on this right now.
Words are so powerful that they create our realities. Our words determind whether we are going to be victims or victors. Not only is it important to keep our thoughts in line with the Word of God, but our words also need to line up with the Word of God. Are there promises that God has told you about that are coming your way? Start speaking them into reality. The words we speak over ourselves are just as important as the ones that other people speak over us. So speak life over yourself.
So, make sure you are getting filled up first before you try to fill someone else up. It's much easier to fill someone else’s cup if you have a reservoir to pour from.
Speaking to others.
Proverbs 18:21 NKJV: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Words are like seeds. We will reap what we sow. Our words can either bless us and those around us or come back to bite us. It is also important to carefully weigh our words before we speak them. And determine if they will help or hinder. Also, if we have to correct someone, are we doing it with love and gentleness? Or are we hitting the person over the head?
Our word choice itself. Are we speaking with respect and kindness or swearing?
Ephesians 4:29 NKJV “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary [a]edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
We need to see words more like tools to be used properly rather than toys to be played with. This verse fits nicely with Matthew 12:33 from earlier. If the tree is good, then there is very little chance you are going to swear. It also reminds us of the importance of renewing our minds with the Word of God and thinking about good and godly things. Rather than the things of this world and the enemy.
We ought to be careful what words and what tone we use with those around us. Words have great power and we need to be careful not to hurt others with our words. We also need to speak with grace, love and truth. Do your best to corect in love when needed and use your words to build eachother up.
Speaking about other people. Not just to their faces, but also behind their back.
James 4:11 NKJV “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.”
Proverbs 16:28 NKJV “A perverse man sows strife,
And a whisperer separates the best of friends.”
Proverbs 26:20 NKJV “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no [a]talebearer, strife ceases”
Leviticus 19:16 NKJV “ You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.”
Matthew 12:36 NKJV “ But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
Our words can be used to build relationships and trust up overtime or break them down in an instant. God challenged and convicted me while reading these verses because earlier this year He convicted me of gossiping, complaining, and slandering. I had been doing well for a while, but recently gossiped about someone. Holy Spirit used this chunk of the Bible study to convict me, and then told me to go and appologize to the person. I spent a day wrestling with it. But in the end I did go and apologize, and I felt better.
The amount of words we use. Some of us are naturally talkers, and that's fine. That’s how God created you. But not everything has to be shared.
James 1:26 NKJV “ If anyone [a]among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
Oof, that preaches. Bridling my tongue is something I definitely struggle with. I need to practice a lot more self-control in this area.
Proverbs 10:19 “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
It is not a sin to be a talkative person. God created some people to be more talkative than others. But, it is also wise to restrain yourself and not share everything with everyone. I have become a quieter person over the last few months, and it has brought me such peace. Yes, I do share a lot through my blog, but there are still lots of things that I do not share.
Psalm 141:3 NKJV “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Our words matter. The sentiment of “the more the merrier” does not apply here. Less is more when it comes to our words. We also need to keep a close eye on our tongue. We need to stop and think before speaking.
I pray this encourages, challenges, teaches and blesses you today, friend.
God Bless
~Hannah
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