July 13, 2017
- in Weekly Encouragement by admin
The Power of Words
I never realized how much negative words could affect my life. I would use words like “now you know that was so stupid, I can never get anything right.” I would hear words like this growing up: “You will never amount to anything,” “You will probably be a tomboy when you grow up.” As I grew older, I noticed that the negative words spoken over my life had an adverse bad effect on my life in as a teen and as an adult. I felt like a failure because I did not achieve certain award and accomplishments in high school- all because of the words that I had spoken over my life and because of the words that I allowed others to speak over my life.
Then I received Jesus as my Savior and Lord, and I found out that life and death are in the power of the tongue. I started thinking about the words before I would release them out of my mouth. I also watched the words that I would speak to my son. I never called him stupid. Instead, I would use words to encourage him and build him up. The words we speak to and over our children are life-changing. Build and encourage your kids each day.
My granddaughter came over to spend the weekend with me, and she shared that her teacher said that she was a slow learner. I had her repeat Romans 8:37 and Philippians 4:13 which states that she is more than a conquer and that she can do all things through Christ that gives her strength. She put this BIG smile on her face and gave me a BIG hug, and she said, “thank you granny I am not slow I am a winner, and I can do all things through Christ that gives me the strength to accomplish all of my goals.” I let her know that she is beautiful and wonderfully made as well according to scriptures.
Let us start speaking words of life into our lives and not words of death. Proverbs 18:21 ESV: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Ephesians 4:29: 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. Proverbs 15:1: A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up.
Sometimes the way we answer someone can be very severe. Proverbs 21:23 ESV says Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Now that is a hard one because I can be very opinionated at times, but I am learning. The word of God has much to say regarding words. So let’s study and become DOER’s of God’s word and not hearers only deceiving ourselves (James 1:22).
Words that I have spoken in the past have gotten me in a world of trouble. Now I use wisdom and discernment, and I try my best to think before I speak, and this saves me from unnecessary predicaments. Proverbs 21:23: Whoever guards his mouth and tongue, keeps his soul from troubles.
