Our words have tremendous power to change our lives, our relationships, our families, our churches and the world around us. This can be for good or bad. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that "the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit", and Proverbs 15:2 teaches that "the tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
In our world today there is a great need to change the way people speak. So many people speak negative words of hatred and criticism on social media as well as in personal contacts. Our culture often accepts that it is ok to say whatever we want about other people. But when that happens people get very hurt and divisions grow stronger.
A true Christian cannot be like this and has to create a positive counterculture as explained in Ephesians 4:29. Never underestimate the power of the spoken word. You may never have realised it before, but your words are very powerful, so you really have to watch what you say. The words we speak are like seeds of what we are going to harvest.
To speak in the best way:
1. You must speak words of Compassion (John 8:11; John 3:17; 1 Corinthians 13:4; 1 Corinthians 13:1)
2. You must speak Constructive words
3. You must speak words of Conquest (Revelation 12:10; Numbers 13:30-32; Philippians 4:13; 2 Peter 1:3; Acts 27:25; Psalm 19:14)
Apply
How much love is communicated in the way you speak? The words of Jesus brought great comfort to people (John 8:11, John 3:17). When the disciples spoke rough words and rebuked those who brought children to Jesus he said: ‘let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.' How we talk to children and those who are weaker than us is a very good test of how much compassion we have. 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us that real love, is patient and kind and many other things: how patient and kind are you with your words every day? To win the world and to win our families we must speak words of love. Otherwise we are just being religious (1 Corinthians 13:1).
Are the words you speak building a positive and Godly environment in your home and wherever you go? Are you quick to praise your husband/wife/children and others you meet, or do you speak words of criticism to them and about them? If you can’t say anything positive, it is best to say nothing. And if you do have something difficult to say, be sure you put it in the most positive way. Don’t discourage people by speaking of what you think are their weak points. Praise the strong points of others. Find something you can praise. Everyone needs to hear constructive words. Speak only positive words to your children. Only use words that build people up. Speak words over your spouse which edify and which declare positive things into being by faith. Your words can create a new future, so always be positive in your speech and never speak abusive words.
Are your words declaring victory or describing defeat? Revelation 12:10 says: ‘They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.’ We can win over every enemy through the blood of Jesus, but we must also play our part through the words that come from our mouths. This means you have to declare who you are in Christ and what He will do in your situation. Are you like Caleb and Joshua speaking big possibilities over your life and future, or more like the other ten spies talking about the big problems (Numbers 13:30-32)? The leaders who didn’t speak words of faith did not inherit the promises. They, and most of their generation, were so negative and were always moaning and criticising their leaders. But when Caleb and Joshua and a new generation spoke positive words, they received what they declared by faith.
It is so important not to rob yourself of your blessings by speaking negative words about yourself or your family or church or the difficult circumstances you are in. Do not say: I can’t. Say like the apostle Paul said from prison in Philippians 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength. When you are facing strong temptations say like Peter in 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. When you are in a storm and you can’t see how God will make a way out, confess the promises of God. Say like the apostle Paul in Acts 27:25 'for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.' Your words are a key to breakthrough in your life. Faith is closely linked to the confession of the mouth. Faith is realised through the positive confession of the Word. To speak with faith is to call what has not yet happened as if it has already happened. The language of faith brings dreams and visions to fulfilment. Your confession of faith in God’s promises will change your reality and your destiny. No matter how much faith there is in your heart, the miracle will happen only after you confess it with your mouth. God will listen to you and will perform the miracle in your life.
Choose today to develop some new speech habits. Let people see that we are different by what we say and how we say it. Make a decision to speak differently from today in a way that blesses God and people. Decide today to speak words of compassion, words that are constructive and words that will bring conquest. And pray the sincere words of King David in Psalm 19:14: 'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.'
