Life and Death are in the Words we Speak
“A word spoken at the right time is like gold
apples on a silver tray.” (Proverbs 25:11)
Language is not merely a means of
expression and communication; it is an instrument of experiencing, thinking,
and feeling. Only man has the gift of speech, a characteristic otherwise only
possessed by God. This separates us clearly from the animal kingdom. When
God created Adam and Eve, He created them in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27).
This likeness unquestionably included the ability to engage in intelligible
speech via human language. So, Adam had the ability to speak on the very
day that he was brought into existence! Language is not only the vehicle of
thought; it is a great and efficient instrument in thinking.” According to
Solomon, life and death are in the power of the tongue. (Proverbs 18:21)
Joseph Conrad said “Give me
the right word and the right accent and I will move the world.”
Job said "How forcible are
right words!" (Job 6:25)
The words of our mouth have
control over our lives, whether we like it or not, or whether we believe it or
not. We are our own prophets. What we say today impacts our tomorrow. One of the most valuable things we can teach
children is how to assert themselves in respectful ways. In spontaneous and
planned moments throughout the day, parents can work with children to think
about what they want to communicate, to examine their words, and to try new and
different ways of speaking.
The book of Proverbs in
the Bible has a lot to say about our tongue. They are, after all, the wisdom to
life. However, what comes out of our mouths is the result of what we have put
in our hearts. According to Solomon, “life and death are in the power of the
tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) This is why Bible says the right word spoken at the
right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.
The Bible tells us that
our words are so powerful that they can bless or curse, encourage or
discourage, hurt or heal, tear down or build up. Our words can even influence
the way we act and feel as well as determine our attitude and outlook on
life...” No matter what it is we are attempting to communicate, getting our
point across starts with choosing our words wisely. Our words have the
potential to either give life or cause something to die in another person, so
use wisdom Moreover, be certain that we speak without hatred and without
intending to invoke anger or negative emotions in another person. Allowing our
emotions to rule our verbal responses is the ticket to provoking offense in
others. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap
the consequences.
Notice what Jesus said:
“I tell you that everyone will have to answer for all the careless things they
have said. This will happen on the Day of Judgment. Your words will
be used to judge you. What you have said will show whether you are right or
whether you are guilty.” Matthew 12:36-37
The words of our mouth
have control over our lives, whether we like it or not, or whether we believe
it or not. What comes out of our mouth will determine our future. As a rudder
controls the direction of a ship, your tongue controls the direction of your
life. God made man to be a steward not only over the earth but over his own
mouth as well. We are our own prophets. What we say today impacts our
tomorrow. Words have the power to change things for good or ill. The
success and enduring influence of any systematic construction of truth, depends
as much upon an exact vocabulary, as upon close and deep thinking itself.
Indeed, unless the results to which the human mind arrives are plainly stated,
and firmly fixed in an exact terminology, its thinking is to very little
purpose in the end.
Job said "How
forcible are right words!" (Job 6:25) Every single one of us can stop and
think how good we have felt when someone has spoken words of love,
encouragement, and Blessings to us. Words can cut right through you like a
knife, and when those words are positive and constructive, they can have an
incredible way of building up your own sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and
self-confidence.
Proverbs 12:18 “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the
tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are a
honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Words can kill and words give life, they’re either poison or
fruit – you choose. Words have not only destructive power but also life-giving
power. They have massive potential for good and disastrous potential for evil.
Our words can serve either to love or to hate, to encourage or to discourage.
They have the power either to build up or tear down… That’s why Paul tells us
in Ephesians 4:29 that “Let no
foul or polluting language, nor evil
word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of
your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the
spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the
occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to
those who hear it.”
This passage that
Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29 encourage us to use our words carefully to build
others up. Our words have a tremendous ability to heal and bring peace or to
destroy and hurt others. There are several ways that verse 29 is translated by
different Bible translations. The KJV says to “let no corrupt communication
proceed out of your mouth.” The Revised Standard version says, “Let no evil
talk come out of your mouth”, the NASV says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed
out of your mouth”. So, the verse is talking more than just gossip in this
passage. It is referring to lying, foul language, lashing out at someone in
anger or putting others down, gossip and slander. It is talking about any way
that we use our speech to belittle or put other people down. Later Paul tells
us instead of acting like that to be imitators of God and to walk in love. You
see our tongue is a thermometer. It shows our spiritual temperature. If our
words are bad it reveals the condition of our spiritual state. The tongue is
also a thermostat. It regulates. We need to keep a close eye on the thermostat.
If our tongues are out of control our relationship with God is out of
control.
“Pleasant words are
like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverbs
16:24) This verse says Pleasant words can literally be health to our bones. In
other words, good and positive words can give you better physical health as a
result of the boost your immune system will receive. However, just the reverse
is also possible. If all a child ever hears from his parents as they are
growing up are stern and abusive words of condemnation, criticism, and
negativity – then that child’s self-esteem and self-worth can be severely
affected if it is not properly counter-balanced by other people in his life who
will speak out the right kinds of words of love and encouragement to him.
If a child does not get
properly watered with words of love and encouragement from his own parents
during his early growing years in the family, then sooner or later he will end
up believing in all of the lies of his parents as a result of their constant
bombardments – and he will then end up growing up thinking that he will never
be good enough to amount to anything worthwhile.
Anger and frustration
is not an excuse for speaking negatively to someone. Especially when we know
that our words could hurt the other person. The Bible says, " Understand
this, my beloved brothers: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and
slow to get angry.” (James 1:19). If you are in a tense or frustrating
situation, take a moment to listen before responding. Ask the Holy Spirit to
help you keep your emotions in check. As people of God, we have the
responsibility to speak with wisdom and understand the value of Pleasant
words.
Pleasant words means,
good and uplifting type words, and a wholesome tongue can also help serve to
lift a person’s spirit up, help make their hearts glad and happy, be able to
turn away possible wrath and anger, and also help to guard and preserve your
own personal life. One wrong word to the wrong person at the wrong time could
lead you to having an early departure from this life. If more people would
learn how to walk and abide in the revelation and knowledge that is in these
verses, and learn how to express themselves in a more positive and godly manner
to others – we would have less tensions and conflicts in our marriages, in our
families, in our personal friendships, and in the workplace.
It is important to check our motives and think
before we speak. Are the words we speak coming from a heart of love, or one of
selfishness? In essence, positive and effective communication with those you come
in contact starts with you! Notice what Jesus said: “But I tell you that
men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word
they have spoken.” God’s ultimate and highest aim for every single one of us is
to transform, shape, and mold us into the express image of His Son Jesus Christ
– and part of this sanctification process will be the Holy Spirit coming after
our word and speech life.
As we go through life, we will have several decisions to make. We must rely on God's Word when making these decisions. Jesus said to his disciples: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). God's Word is a compass that will guide us in making right decisions. His Word is "a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path." (Psalm 119:105) God's Word is victory, so believe the Word. Notice what Jesus said: ”But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”" (Mt.12:36-37)
In order to control our
mouth, we must first control our thoughts. Right and wrong thinking is the
basis for controlling our words. It's the simplest principle, yet it's the most
difficult area in our lives to discipline. No wonder the adversary and the
corrupted system of the world tries to bombard our minds with evil thoughts of
doubt, fear, and discouragement. They want to prevent us from receiving all
that God has for us.
Language is not merely
a means of expression and communication; it is an instrument of experiencing,
thinking, and feeling. Language is not only the vehicle of thought; it is a
great and efficient instrument in thinking.” — Sir H. Davy.
There is a beautiful
prayer in the Bible to follow in Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my
strength, and my redeemer."
If our hearts are clean
and good--our meditations and words are pure and holy. But if our hearts are
evil and unclean--our meditations and words are of the same moral quality.
Thus, our meditations are an infallible test of our real self. "As a man
thinks in his heart--so is he." Proverbs 23:6.. See that our primary focus
is about our heart: that there, God's image is planted; His interests are
advanced; the world and flesh are subdued; the love of every sin is cast
out; and the love of holiness grows. Bible says "I, the Lord, search the
heart and examine the mind!" Jeremiah 17:10.
This is why Paul says in II Corinthians 10:5 that
”We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against
the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience
of Christ,"
The Bible speaks of thoughts, imaginations, and strongholds. The thought coming into one's mind is the initial data or original idea. After the thought arrives, one must decide what to do with it. If the person continues to dwell on the thought, it turns into an imagination or image. And if this person imagines too long, the imagination turns into a stronghold and starts controlling his life by words.
Where do thoughts come from you might ask. Well, thoughts can come from one of five places: from your five senses, from the devil, from our selfish desire, from corrupted system of the world or people and from the Holy word of God. The devil and your five senses operate through your mind while God operates through your spirit. Romans 8:7 says that the natural mind alone cannot know God, for God speaks to you through your spirit and your spirit speaks to your mind. Whether or not your mind can utilize these thoughts is dependent upon whether or not one's mind is renewed by the Word of God.
We as humans face a constant power struggle. While we have the Word of God coming into our hearts, the devil is putting thoughts into our minds against the knowledge of God. It is our job to cast down this wrong thinking. Perhaps you've cast them down so many times that you feel your caster's worn out. Well, the good news is that you don't have to keep wrestling with these bad thoughts, but instead replace them with good thoughts. You can reprogram your mind with the Word of God, then anything that comes against the Word of God will be cast down.
The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7: "As a man think in his heart, so is he." This is a spiritual principle which can never be broken; it always works, much like the law of sowing and reaping. God has a great plan for your life; He tell us in Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.." Even though God's plan for you is good, you must believe it to receive it and then confess it. We must be careful not to thwart these plans by what we think. If you allow the devil to occupy your mind with his thoughts for you, then he is able to build up a stronghold against the good plan that God has for you.
The Bible speaks of thoughts, imaginations, and strongholds. The thought coming into one's mind is the initial data or original idea. After the thought arrives, one must decide what to do with it. If the person continues to dwell on the thought, it turns into an imagination or image. And if this person imagines too long, the imagination turns into a stronghold and starts controlling his life by words.
Where do thoughts come from you might ask. Well, thoughts can come from one of five places: from your five senses, from the devil, from our selfish desire, from corrupted system of the world or people and from the Holy word of God. The devil and your five senses operate through your mind while God operates through your spirit. Romans 8:7 says that the natural mind alone cannot know God, for God speaks to you through your spirit and your spirit speaks to your mind. Whether or not your mind can utilize these thoughts is dependent upon whether or not one's mind is renewed by the Word of God.
We as humans face a constant power struggle. While we have the Word of God coming into our hearts, the devil is putting thoughts into our minds against the knowledge of God. It is our job to cast down this wrong thinking. Perhaps you've cast them down so many times that you feel your caster's worn out. Well, the good news is that you don't have to keep wrestling with these bad thoughts, but instead replace them with good thoughts. You can reprogram your mind with the Word of God, then anything that comes against the Word of God will be cast down.
The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7: "As a man think in his heart, so is he." This is a spiritual principle which can never be broken; it always works, much like the law of sowing and reaping. God has a great plan for your life; He tell us in Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.." Even though God's plan for you is good, you must believe it to receive it and then confess it. We must be careful not to thwart these plans by what we think. If you allow the devil to occupy your mind with his thoughts for you, then he is able to build up a stronghold against the good plan that God has for you.
Thoughts are the seeds planted in the garden of the mind. We need to be good stewards and sow good thoughts in order to reap the full harvest of what God intends for us to have according to His Word.
What should we be thinking about you might ask? Well the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8:
" Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is
true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think
about such things.." You can't just pick one word out of this verse such
as "whatever is true" and not walk in line with the rest of the
verse. We need to take all of it. Our thoughts should meet all of the godly
attributes listed in this verse.
We will become victorious in life when we change our thinking or thought life. Some are praying and waiting for God to change what they think about, but it's up to them to change their own thinking by reading and digesting the Word of God and avoiding harmful worldly influences. Remember, we can't stop the enemy from bringing thoughts to our mind, but we can control what we dwell on. We need to choose to think God's thoughts. As followers of Lord, we are to be thinking on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
We will become victorious in life when we change our thinking or thought life. Some are praying and waiting for God to change what they think about, but it's up to them to change their own thinking by reading and digesting the Word of God and avoiding harmful worldly influences. Remember, we can't stop the enemy from bringing thoughts to our mind, but we can control what we dwell on. We need to choose to think God's thoughts. As followers of Lord, we are to be thinking on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
Our minds are like a computer. They know nothing except what
they have been fed. And, just like a computer, our mind can be affected by bad
data or viruses. Fortunately, we have access to top-powerful antivirus software
- the Word of God. We need to get our minds thinking scripturally. We have
to be very selective as thoughts continue to bombard our minds. Your mind will
accept or reject thoughts according to what it knows about the Word of God. For
when we read the Word of God, are minds will become transformed and
renewed "that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God"(Romans 12:2). We need to pay attention to every word
and phrase that comes out of our mouth because each word will affect your
future. Your future (good or bad ) is in you, right now. It's in your mouth and
it's determined by the words you speak. Man was created in the likeness of
God and given the right to choose his own words, speak them, and thereby
declare his eternal destiny.
There is a dark side — very dark — to the power of speech. The words are hooks. Their enormous power lies in what the words MEAN to the person who hears them. They activate concepts, ideas, memories, situations, circumstances, actions, thoughts and feelings from one's subconscious mind into corresponding emotional responses toward the subject at hand. Consequently, the decisions based on them are NOT based on truth, common sense, logic, legality, one's best interests or right and wrong. These emotional hooks have been defined as fallacious arguments because they are misleading and deceptive.
There is a dark side — very dark — to the power of speech. The words are hooks. Their enormous power lies in what the words MEAN to the person who hears them. They activate concepts, ideas, memories, situations, circumstances, actions, thoughts and feelings from one's subconscious mind into corresponding emotional responses toward the subject at hand. Consequently, the decisions based on them are NOT based on truth, common sense, logic, legality, one's best interests or right and wrong. These emotional hooks have been defined as fallacious arguments because they are misleading and deceptive.
First, perhaps the greatest
violation of speech imaginable is when man employs his tongue to deny the very
One who created him. The fool says: “There is no God” (Psa. 14:1; 53:1).
Second, a terribly serious
violation of the gift of speech is the distortion of truth.
Words manipulate people into
becoming tools others can use. Invisible, contrived with purpose to
change another's thoughts, beliefs and actions, the words virtually force one
to agree with the manipulator's point of view, give them what they want, do
what they ask and buy what they are selling. Their words are so reasonable, so
logical, so believable that one's response is almost automatic. Truth is
inherent to the very nature of God. He is a “God of truth” (Dt. 32:4; Isa.
65:16), who cannot lie (Num. 23:19; Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18). Lying is an assault
upon the very fabric of God’s being. It is classified as a sin (Psa. 59:12)
that God hates (Prov. 6:19; 12:22). God, by means of an inspired revelation has
spoken to man with a message designed to lead him to everlasting life. Men must
know that truth in order to be set free from the consequences of sin (Jn.
8:32).
Third, one
abuse of speech is abusive speech!
Ephesians 4:29 says “Let no
corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building
up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Jesus
said: “But the words you speak come from the heart--that's what defiles you.”
(Matthew 15:18) he also admonished that “But I tell you that men will have to
give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have
spoken.”
Since the tongue is such a powerful force-for good or
evil-we are wise to ask: What would homes, society, schools, even the Nation be
like if we used words with divine intentionality and eloquence? We have all
experienced the power of speech. The right words can break a person’s heart,
inspire a nation, lift a friend’s spirits, destroy a child’s self-esteem,
propel a man to the highest position, and bring a fresh smile to a
tear-drenched face. You can avoid offending others when you use wisdom with
your words and operate in love at all times. Your words determine whether
you display the character of integrity. Words have power and what you say can
impact others in a profound way.
Words carry immeasurable
significance: The universe was created with a word; Jesus healed and cast out
demons with a word; rulers have risen and fallen by their words; Christians
have worshiped through words of song, confession, and preaching. Even in our
technological age, politics, education, business, and relationships center on
words. Words are powerful. As the Scriptures indicate, they can create and
destroy, build and burn down, save and condemn. The triune God created and
upholds us by his Word, redeems us by re-narrating our lives by his gospel, and
directs us by his commands so that our words become more conformed to God’s
Word.
Our minds are like a computer.
They know nothing except what they have been fed. And, just like a computer,
our mind can be affected by bad data or viruses. Fortunately, we have access to
top-powerful antivirus software - the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17 says
“arm ourselves with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of
God." Jesus said in John 6:63 "The words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life”. In
order to control our mouth, we must first control our thoughts. II
Corinthians 10:5 says " We are destroying speculations and
every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking
every thought captive to the obedience of Christ," Thoughts are the seeds
planted in the garden of the mind. We need to be good stewards and sow good
thoughts in order to reap the full harvest of what God intends for us to have
according to His Word. Proverbs 23:7says: "As a man think in his
heart, so is he." We can't stop the enemy from bringing thoughts to
our mind, but we can control what we dwell on. We need to choose to think God's
thoughts. We must not let frustration, fear, bitterness and anger rule our hearts,
but rather let “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard
your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Finally, brothers and
sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things.." (Philippians 4:7).
God Bless you