Have you ever thought about what you say; I mean really give your words some thought before you speak them?
Regardless of what we think or believe about our words, the Bible has a lot to say about them.
God is a word God. He created all language and even created the world with His word. Our words can create as well, though not in the same manner as God created. Words matter to God so they should matter to us. What God says about Himself and us should be of the utmost importance.
The book of James in the Bible tells us we need to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. It says that we are to be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - Jas 1:22 James makes a connection between hearing and doing. He tells us that we are deceived if we only hear the word and don’t do them. In context, James is writing about being doers of the word, not just reading it but actually doing what it says to do because it is the word of God. If we were to do what the Bible tells us to do, we would first love as we are commanded. We would forgive one another, we would give to one another, and we would not slander one another.
Your Words Lead to Actions
Whatever we think about and allow to come out of our mouths, we often then act on it. If the action is of anger, we will likely sin. Angry thoughts lead to angry words that lead to sin. In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Eph 4:26 NIV One can become angry for a legitimate reason but we are not to sin in that anger.
Lately, the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about my words and how I need to change some things about them. He showed me the evidence of my words, how powerful they are and what they can create in the atmosphere. Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. - Pro 18:21
Notice how this Proverbs says death and life and not the other way around. I think this is intentional because most of the time people are not speaking life-giving words to or about one another. Instead, people tend to talk negatively about almost everything. Just look at the media sources if you are not convinced of this truth. Negative and hostile words are being released into our minds on a daily basis.
If you are struggling in the area of your words, Proverbs 18 is an excellent source of scripture to help you understand the effects of words. Read it and meditate on it until you are convicted to change!
Words Hurt
Remember the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?” Nothing could be further from the truth. Everything a person says or does begins with a thought and if our thoughts are toxic all that flow from them will be as well.
We are to Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life. - Pro 4:23 KJV
The problems in our lives can rush from our heart out of our mouths. If we have bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness, those feelings are likely to flow into any of our conversations. Words of hatred, rejection, and shame can cause a lifetime of emotional problems for some people; especially for children who grow up under such treatment.
We must keep our hearts pure and before the Lord. I realize to do such a thing is not always easy, but if we are intentional about conversing with our Father in Heaven, He is even more faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Twelve Scriptures to Apply
The Bible is full of words of wisdom and knowledge as well as direction. Here are twelve scriptures that you can apply to your journey on keeping your words right with God.
The words we speak are full of iniquity and defile our entire being. They are toxic, unruly and difficult to control. And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature it is set on fire by hell. But no man can tame the tongue. [It is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. - Ja 1:6,8
We can use our words for good or evil. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. - Jas 3:9
Our words can cause us to get into arguments and disputes with another to the point of becoming physical. A fool’s lips enter And his mouth calls for blows.- Pro 18:6
Our words can trap us and destroy us. A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.- Pro 18:7
Our words can be used to spread gossip and lies about another and in doing so get the hearer of our words to partake in the enjoyment of sin. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. - Pro 18:8
Responding to a question or a situation without knowing all the facts can cause one to look foolish and cause embarrassment. He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.- Pro 18:13
Too much talking and not enough listening can lead to sin. Whoever hides hatred [has] lying lips, And whoever spreads slander [is] a fool. 19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips [is] wise. - Pro 10:18-19
The mouth boasts of what is in the heart so if there is righteousness within the center of it there will be words of value, if not there will be words of little worth. The tongue of the righteous [is] choice silver; The heart of the wicked [is worth] little. - Pro 10:20
Wise words can instruct many, foolish words can lead people to their destruction. The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. - Pro 10:21
Our words should answer others with love and grace. [Let] your speech always [be] with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. -Col 4:6
We should be so aware of our words that nothing corrupt comes out of our mouths; using our words for edification as much as is possible. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. - Eph 4:29
Our words should be righteous and filled with life so that wisdom comes forth and we win souls for Jesus. The fruit of the righteous [is a] tree of life, And he who wins souls [is] wise. - Pro 11:30
The end result of our words is spoken best from the mouth of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Mat 12:35-37
Let’s pray,
Heavenly Father, I confess my sins to You today, sins that have grieved the Holy Spirit. I confess that my words have led to sinful actions. I confess my weakness to You today. I am unable to control my thought life and words without Your help. I confess my need to You today. I am broken, and as such many of my words are not life-giving, instead they often cause death. Please forgive me and help me to live a better life with my words. Help me to think before I speak and to know of what is in my heart that is leading my mouth. Give me a pure heart and clean hands. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen