How often do we consider the impact of our words? In the book of Proverbs chapter 18 and verse 21 we read: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (KJV). Wow, that’s powerful. Our words can bring life or death to the hearer. Not only that but in this this verse we also see that we shall reap a harvest from what we say to others.

Words are packages that leave our lips and float through the air exploding on the ears of people. However, much we may try to argue our way out of what we said we can never negate the impact of our words. In the bible we also read that our words show what is in our hearts. (Matt 12:34). The apostle James in his epistle, wrote much about the potential evils of our tongues (James 3:1-12), those verses are worth reading. There are many other scriptures about our words; here are a couple: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Prov 25:11), now that speaks volumes. “A soft answer turneth away wrath” (Prov 15:1).

God wants our words to be pleasing to him (Ps 19:14), they should be full of grace and seasoned with salt (Col 4:6), words that build up and not tear down (Eph 4:29). In fact, Paul admonishes us to speak to each other in spiritual songs, hymns and psalms songs (Eph 5:19). The Psalmist asked God to put a guard over his mouth (Ps 141:3); we would be wise to do the same. Let’s watch our words, seek to edify people and allow the Spirit to guide our conversations. God always tells me that he is not interested in my opinions but my obedience. I don’t know about you but I said a few “ouches” today over these scriptures above but “ouches” are good if they change us for the better. Yes? or was that just an ouch!

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The Bible has much to say about our words. The first parts of Proverbs 11:9 and 26:22 describe conversations that are gossip: “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour” (Prov 11:9; KJV); “The words of a talebearer are as wounds” (Prov 26:22).

Gossip produces strife and destroys the unity that God so loves (Prov 16:28; Ps 133). We are told that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Prov 18:21). The apostle James wrote about our tongues: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature: and it is set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). Wow, strong words. Furthermore, the apostle Matthew taught us that the words that come out of our mouths reflect what is in our hearts (Matt 12:34) and that we will be justified or condemned by our words (Matt 12:37).

We need to restrain our words (James 1:26). We should stick to pleasant words that build up and edify (Prov 16:24). Someone once told me that if you are talking about a person to another individual you should ask yourself: 1. Do your words edify you and would God approve of them? 2. Do they build up and help the hearer? 3. Do they honor, help and edify the one you are talking about?

Let’s check our hearts and speak words in love and for a constructive reason.

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.

The bible says a lot about our confession or what comes out of our mouth. What is in our heart will come out in our words (Luke 6:45). To be born again we need to believe in Jesus in our heart or spirit man and confess with our mouth: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the Dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom 10:9; KJV).

The apostle Paul also taught us that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Rom 10:17). In other words, we need to hear the word spoken to build up our faith; spoken by others and most importantly ourselves.

Faith isn’t faith without the accompanying confession: “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 11:23).  

Fear is the opposite of faith; it is faith in what satan wants to say to us and have us believe. We really need to watch what we say, what comes out of our mouth, as it positions us and shows what is in us and also builds up our faith or produces fear.  Don’t be quiet, speak the word and see your faith grow.

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others. 

The book of Proverbs has a lot to teach us about our words, their power, and how God will give us the words to say to bring life. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21; KJV). In both Prov. 15:2 and 7 we are told that knowledge comes from the tongue of a wise person. Then in Proverbs 16:1 we read that the wise answer of the tongue comes from God.

If we are regularly spending time with God, he will give us his wisdom and we will be able to share that with others.  Then there is this beautiful verse from Proverbs 25:11: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver". Finally, from Proverbs: "a word spoken in due season, how good is it" (Prov 15:23).

If you are still not convinced here's one more scripture: "The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (Isa 50:4). Here's the key, if we have a teachable spirit God himself will teach us how to speak those words of wisdom and blessing.

How does this all apply to us as Christians? In Ephesians 4:29 we are exhorted to use our words of wisdom to edify, build up, be a blessing to and encourage others in their walk with God.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others. 

Galatians 5:14 tells us to: “love your neighbor as yourself”. Then in verse 15 we read: "but if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another". Bite, devour and consume are a very strong combination of words. Have you ever thought about what they all mean?  We are not talking of physical biting etc. but thinking in metaphorical terms. In this sense, these words together mean to completely wound and destroy each other emotionally.

The apostle Paul was directing these words to Christians! Think for a moment what these actions with our mouths would do to people and the unity of the church. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21).

Fortunately, in verse 16 of Galatians chapter 14, Paul gives us a clue as to how we can prevent what he discusses in verse 15. He says: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”. He then goes on to list the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”.

So how do we walk and live in the Spirit? The only way to do this is by spending time in God’s word, in prayer, fellowshipping with the Lord and listening for what the Holy Spirit might want to say to us. We must be ready to act on his promptings and be open to change.   

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.