The Power of Words
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21a
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45b
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” Ephesians 4:29
During this last week, my second graders and I had many conversations about the power of words. Inevitably, after returning to class after recess, I would hear stories about unkind words and hurt feelings. When words are spoken out of frustration or anger, the ripple effects can linger. These conversations with my class made me think more about the power of our words - and how they can build up or damage relationships and people.
Words are one of the most powerful tools God has given us. Our words can encourage, uplift, calm, or strengthen others. But the same tongue which speaks those encouraging words can harm, wound, and destroy. As Proverbs 18:21a says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Our words carry
weight - and once words are said, they cannot be taken back. We’ve all heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” And we are all very aware that this is simply not true.
In Luke 6:45, Jesus teaches that the words we speak are a reflection of what is stored up within us. If our hearts are filled with love, kindness, and wisdom, our words will reflect that. But if our hearts are filled with pride, bitterness or negativity, our words will expose that. It’s important to consider what we’re filling our hearts with - are we spending time in God’s word? If we want to speak words that give life, it’s crucial that we fill our hearts with God’s truth.
When we are loved by God, that love should overflow from us through our words and actions into the lives of others. Consider your words today: Do they build up or tear down? Do they encourage or criticize? Do they reflect God's love to those around us?
Let us work to surrender our thoughts and our words to Him today as we pray these words from Psalm 19:14: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”