Have you ever really stopped to think about how powerful your words are?
Our words have the power to bring blessings or curses to our lives (James 3:10), but seldom do we stop to think about what we allow to come out of our mouths. The Bible refers to the tongue as a little member, but the tongue has the power to set a whole house on fire (James 3: 5-8).
What would happen if we used our words to build up ourselves and others instead of speaking condemnation that leaves emotional wounds on the souls of others and negative proclamations that rob us of God’s blessings?
What if instead, we began to speak Jeramiah’s prophesy of God’s plan, “to prosper us and not to harm us; to give us a hope and a future,” (Jeramiah 29:11) upon our lives, and chose to believe God will do what He says?
What if we reminded ourselves daily that we are children of The King and because there is no lack in Him, there’s none is us (Psalm 34:18)?
What if we took God at His word and we spoke those things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17) and held God to His faithfulness to His word?
What changes do you think would happen in your life and the lives of those you influence if you sowed seeds with your words of love, peace, compassion, and respect instead of malicious criticism, minimization, and idol gossip?
The good news is, our words can sow seeds of hope where there is despair. They can bring calm to a troubling situation. They can encourage and uplift those who are discouraged and remind them that God can do what man can’t. Our words even have the power to bring life or death to whatever we pronounce it upon (Proverbs 18:21). That’s a lot of power! And like with any level or degree of power, we must use it wisely.
As children of God, we must be, “Quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to act.” (James 1:19) Controlling our tongue and taking a moment to consider whether what we have to say adds to or subtracts from the worth or value of the person or situation and in turn, builds character and adds value to us.
Let’s make a decision to do what the Bible challenges us to do: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)
In addition to February being the month we officially and publically recognize the contributions African Americans have made and continue to make in the world, it is also the month dedicated to love. February 14th is Valentine’s Day. Choose to lift someone’s spirit with the words. I Love You, and mean it.
Peace, Blessings, and I LOVE YOU,
Gail