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Did you know every word we say has power? The power to give life or death. The power to speak truth or lies. The power to encourage or discourage.

The Message states it this way, “Words kill, words give life. They’re either poison or fruit. You choose.”  Proverbs 18:21

Sometimes we take our words for granted and believe we are ‘just talking,’ but scripture disagrees with that. It says what comes out of our mouth displays what is in our hearts.

My words are a walking advertisement for who I am.

What are we advertising?

Our words can give life, healing, hope, comfort, encouragement, and kindness.

Our words can give death, destruction, hopelessness, make someone uncomfortable, discouraged, or cause pain.

We have the gift and opportunity each day to choose.

James 3 reminds us that, even though our tongue is small, so is a rudder for a ship and a bit for a horse’s mouth, yet they have great power and can steer the ship and the horse whatever direction is chosen. Our tongue can not only steer us but will also bring those in our circle along with us.

James 3:4 tells us that the captain can turn a huge ship by the small rudder, “even though the winds are strong.”  We may miss this little gem, but in the middle of comparing how small our tongue is to how much power it has, James reminds us that it is possible, no matter what our circumstances or what someone else is saying, to steer our tongue!

James continues on to display the power of the tongue by comparing it to a spark setting a forest ablaze. “A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that(set a fire). By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it…”(James 3:5-6 The Message).

In contrast, Proverbs 25:11 reminds us, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (NKJV)

This is a beautiful picture of richness and opulence. If you are not wealthy by worldly standards, you still have the gift of your words, and they can be greater than any famous masterpiece or treasures.

Our words have meaning, and our words have power. We can use them as a gift to others or we can use them to tear someone down, destroy their dreams, or hurt them. We choose each day.

Let us pause and pray before we share our words in any capacity.

God can use us to change our world through our words.

“Father, may we honor You by the words we choose.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life