Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

It may seem like a very obvious thing to say that there is power in words. However, as has become clear (especially in our day), the world has lost perspective on just HOW powerful words are.

Strength from above is needed when it comes to speaking in righteousness. We all need the Lord’s help daily to maintain the course of speaking truth at all times.

Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”

We must … absolutely MUST watch every word we speak! We must analyze if the words we WANT to speak are the words we SHOULD speak! Our words will either plant the seeds of God’s Truth into the hearts of people … or they will plant the seeds of Satan’s hatred and lies into their hearts. To give real perspective on how powerful our words are, let’s see what God Himself has to say about our speech.

Matthew 12:36 “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

We ought to be ready to perform the good works of the Lord at all times, watching our mouths and resisting the urge to speak in ways which go against the character of our Lord.

Titus 3:1-2 “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

Some of the easiest targets of evil speaking are politicians. And yes, we are never to speak ill of those whom the Lord has ordained to be our leaders. Don’t get me wrong, however. Speaking up about the evils they say and do is what we’re supposed to do. But outing them for their evil ways can be done in a respectful manner. Speak the facts without going into character assassination. Display respect without ridicule, though the things they are doing are wicked.

James 3:3-8 “Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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 of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

This is why prayer for the right words ought to be given at all times. It’s far too easy to speak from emotion and opinion, rather than from a place of blessing.

James 3:10 “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

So, what would help to order our tongues? Well, once again we can rely on the Scriptures to bless us with the comfort and guidance we need!

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

So, when it comes to what things ought to be spoken, bear in mind that there is power in the words we speak. There is power to heal and power to kill. Think on those things which bring praise and glory to God … think on those words which will press forward the truth without condemnation or ridicule. Be consistent with only allowing blessings to be spoken. You never know how much the soul in front of you may need to hear grace filled words after being so overcome with the filth of the world.

The Lord is our example of how life ought to be lived.

1 John 2:6 “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

He faced the hateful words of thousands when He was here in person … and has faced the hateful words of billions throughout history. So, how did He handle it? when Jesus was face-to-face with Satan, He could have said ANYTHING to Satan. He could have gone on and on about Satan’s crimes, but instead, He allowed His power to speak.

Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Jesus never once sinned. He never spoke an unholy word.

1 Peter 2:22 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”

And the children of God will be those who follow in His footsteps.

Revelation 14:5 “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

Look, if you find yourself unable to answer someone, here’s an idea … just say, “God bless”. That one seed is more powerful and can help someone more than you could possibly imagine.

The words we speak have the power to either give life or take life. The words we speak will either glorify God and the life He offers or glorify Satan and the death he offers.

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.”

Let’s do a very brief history lesson:

The Bible has been the most FERVANTLY attacked book in ALL of history. But why? The Bible has been attacked for one simple reason: it is the ONLY book in all of Creation which contains 100% truth!!! The words contained in the Bible have been, and always will be, true!!!

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

And in this prophesied age of increased knowledge in which we live, we are able to see very clearly how the holy Word of God has been attacked.

Daniel 12:4 “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

One of the things which the Vatican did in an attempt to suppress the Word of God was this: they rewrote the Bible in an old, dead language … Latin. Why though? What purpose could they have for doing this? Since Latin was and is a dead language, why rewrite the Bible in that language?

Did you know that Latin is the official language of the Vatican? The reason they rewrote the Bible in Latin was so no one else could read it! the Vatican then proceeded to confiscate and burn as many copies of the real Bible as they possibly could. This is why the Bible was placed on the index of banned books in 1120ad!

But we have a faithful and loving God who promised His Word would NEVER be destroyed, praise His name!

Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

Mark 13:31 “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”

Luke 21:33 “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”

The enemy of souls and his minions KNOW that eternal life in Heaven is found in Christ and His Word … that’s why we have so many false versions of the Bible today.

John 5:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Acts 13:46 “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”

We have ABUNDANT evidence throughout all of Scripture showing the power of words. Quick question: HOW did our Lord create everything? Did He take out His hammer, nails, and measuring tape to put the earth together? OR did He display His majesty and His power in some other way?

Genesis 1:3 “In the beginning (time) God created the heaven (space) and the earth (matter).”

Genesis 1:6-7 “And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.”

Genesis 1:9 “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.”

Genesis 1:11 “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.”

Genesis 1:14 “And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:”

Genesis 1:20 “And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”

Genesis 1:24 “And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.”

Genesis 1:26-27 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

What’s truly amazing is that it has been confirmed that soundwaves are at the base of all existence! Looking deep into cells, molecules, and atoms, it is now known that the very structure of all things is … sound! Even string theory, which came about in an attempt to understand the fabric of the universe, says that at the smallest scale of the universe, there are vibrating “strings” which make up the universe. These vibrating strings make what? That’s right! Sound!

All things were SPOKEN in existence! And as we can clearly see, it was on the sixth day when humans were created. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were spoken into existence by the mouth of God and it is no different for the rest of us. So, the next time Satan tries to convince you that you are not special, that life isn’t worth living, or that you should hate your life, just remember that the lips which have called you to eternal life are the very same lips which spoke your name before time and creation even existed.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

The Lord Himself called us into life at the moment we were conceived!

Psalm 71:6 “By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.”

Psalm 22:10 “I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.”

Psalm 139:13 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.”

The power of words, of course, extends beyond creation week. Whenever Jesus healed someone, He SPOKE. Jesus spoke His will and His miracles happened.

John 4:46-53 “So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.”

Luke 7:11-15 “And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

These are but 2 examples. There are many more, of course.

And is it not also true that the will of the Godhead was spoken before Adam was created?

Genesis 1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

Since words are of such importance to the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, why would it be any different in our case?

Proverbs 21:23 “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

You know, it was at a very young age that I learned that the saying, “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is not necessarily true. We have been created as emotional creatures and certain words and phrases can affect us deeply. Yes, it’s true, the Lord blesses us with thicker skin as the work continues in our lives, but we are not totally immune to being hurt by words.

Obviously, unkind, and unloving words do cause pain. Ridicule and condemnation are often used to harden the heart … that’s why it works so well in the military. The problem is it never works!

Here’s an example: think of the hardest, saltiest, most uncaring person you’ve ever known. Got someone in your head? Now, I bet you and everyone else who knew that person understood that there was a subject or two that you simply did NOT bring up to that person, right? Why? Usually because it led to violence. And why do these people get violent? Because anger, rage, and wrath are only MASKS for their true feelings. Those feelings are typically shame, embarrassment, and deep sadness.

You’ll never hear them admit to this, by the way. They won’t admit it because … well … they feel weak. And the angry violence they commit is a sort of shield which they use to keep people away. Plus, their anger causes others to perceive them as strong. And all this was caused by what? Words!

This reminds me of how those who want to come across as “super Christians” will speak in strange ways (typically with old English), wear tee-shirts with Bible references on them, and speak somewhat aggressively. They tend to be overzealous. By contrast, the one who follows Christ very closely has a more subdued, careful, and meek nature. They never seek to make themselves flashy or stand out in any way.

In a secular sense, I’ve seen this when it comes to fighting on the streets and in the Army. The loudest and most aggressive people were typically very weak in the end. But the quiet ones have always been the ones to watch out for. I knew a guy in my past who everyone knew that once he stopped talking and became quiet … things were about to go down. Once he got angry, he got quiet … for him, there was no more room for speaking, it was time for action. I praise the Lord every day that the Lord saved him from all of that and so much more. Not to mention, this guy and other like him always strived to deescalate a situation … they actually tried NOT to fight. The overzealous and prideful always tried to show how tough they were by their words, their volume, and more “in your face” attitudes.

Or how about this: so many people have such deep-seeded pride and vanity that they believe that everyone should respect them. How many countless fights, injuries, and murders have happened because one person says something and the other person responds with, “are you disrespecting me!?”

Doesn’t Jesus specifically warn us that people are going to disrespect us, ridicule us, and speak evil things against us!?

If God’s people are so sensitive to the words of others, how can they ever hope to do the work which the Lord has entrusted to them?

Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

1 Peter 4:14 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”

2 Peter 2:2 “And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.”

Don’t get me wrong, even when walking closely with God, words will still hurt … just not in the way you may be thinking. You see, a weak man will think about how best to retaliate against someone who disrespects them or a loved one. The Christian, however, becomes brokenhearted. Not because they are personally offended, but because they know the soul in front of them is in serious danger of being lost forever. They will call to remembrance the words of Paul when he was confronted by unbelievers …

Acts 18:6 “And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”

I’ve heard many people throughout my life say, “Don’t bring religion into this” when someone brings up God or His Word in a conversation. What the Lord has taught me about the people who say that is this: they are almost entirely ignorant about spiritual matters.

Matthew 12:36 “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

Here’s the bottom line: the Lord already stated in Matthew 12:36 that we will be held accountable for every idle word, right? that means He is paying attention to every word we speak! That also means that He is paying attention to whether or not we are glorifying Him!

Since God is in EVERY conversation, that means every conversation is a spiritual one … whether people want it to be or not!

Therefore, every word spoken will be in worship to either God or the enemy.

The Lord tells us that evil spoken can corrupt ourselves and those around us.

1 Corinthians 15:33 “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

Evil communication is anything outside of what a Biblical Christian would say or do. We’ve all experienced this type of evil communication before. It’s most typical and widely used version is peer-pressure. Later, the corruption to self becomes so strong that the person then becomes the ones who corrupt others … just like how a virus works.

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

All people need to be wary of the words they speak. If they are the ones who speak evil and lead others into sin, they need to realize that it is one thing to sin … but it is another thing completely to CAUSE or INFLUENCE others into sin.

Luke 17:1-2 “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”

But we are told to communicate the goodness of God.

Galatians 6:6 “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”

There is even the danger for people to joke about, or mock at, sin. This is easily seen in the “normal”, every day conversations of people. They use the Lord’s name in vain. They don’t understand that the name of Jesus Christ is only to be spoken in complete reverence and love. They mock at sin, and refuse to believe they are guilty.

Proverbs 14:9 “Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.”

Proverbs 10:23 “It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.”

Proverbs 26:18-19 “As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?”

The “sport” part of the last two parts in Proverbs we read is understood to mean play, laugh, or mock. Basically, it’s when someone does or says something harmful, but trivializes their actions by saying, “I was just playing” or “I was just joking”. Sin must not be minimized, trivialized, or mocked. Even something meant as a joke, but ended up being sinful, must be repented of and the offended person must receive an apology.

The type of mocking in regard to sin conveys the wrong impression. This unholy impression places a bad light upon our Lord. And as His ambassadors, we need to remain diligent in our speaking so that only a holy light is placed upon our King.

Proverbs 17:27-28 “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

Discerning when and what and how to speak is of utmost importance. But equally important is knowing when NOT to speak. In certain situations, the best choice is simply to not speak. Like in the case of someone who has made it clear that they don’t want the truth you’re speaking. It is simply a matter of obedience to withhold from them the things they don’t want anyway.

Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

For example: I had spoken several times about clean foods to someone who kept insisting that due to this reason and that reason, pork was what the Lord wanted him to eat. After some time, it became clear that he was not going to believe what the Lord actually says on the subject of unclean foods. As such, I was led to simply say, have it your way then. I more said that in my head, not out loud. But we haven’t discussed this matter since that day. Rather, the Lord has sent others into my life who are more willing to hear.

“You are what you eat”. This old idiom is true in every way. If someone eats unclean foods, they become unclean. If they ingest chemically laden foods and drinks, then their own body and brain chemistry becomes disrupted. If they consume something toxic, like alcohol, they themselves have a more toxic system.

But this idiom is also true when it comes to what is “eaten” or “consumed” with the eyes and ears. If someone watches violent things, they have a more violent disposition. If they watch things of a sexual nature, they become more lustful. If they listen to music which fails to bring glory to God, they become more distant from Him. If they read works of fiction or become consumed with books other than His Word, then truth becomes too difficult to grasp.

I know we’ve all heard this descriptive phrase before: “He/she talks before thinking”. That is most often said after someone says something absolutely horrible. There is obviously a problem (or two) with that phrase.

1. It excuses the person’s behavior without confronting the offender.
2. It minimizes how truly devastating the horrible comments can be.

But there is a larger problem for those who “speak without thinking” … the Lord considers them fools!

Proverbs 12:16 “A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.”

Proverbs 27:3 “A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.”

A child of God will always hold back from speaking from an emotional place because they know that they can’t trust their emotions in that moment. A person who claims to be a Christian but speaks from an angry and unBiblical place has a vain faith.

James 1:26 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”

Here is one last example of something all people have done. Since every person has felt wronged by someone, you’ll know all about what I’m going to say.

Whether it be someone being rude at the grocery store or getting cut-off in traffic, the temptation to have those little arguments in our heads will be present. These arguments are when someone imagines all that they would say or do to that person.

Much of the time, the angry person will vent their anger to loved ones and friends which runs the risk of corrupting them … especially if they are not living a Christian life. Please understand that I am talking about venting anger and wrath … NOT sadness and despair. No matter what our feelings are, they need to be brought to God first! Afterward, confiding in trusted brethren can be done.

Please bear in mind that our thoughts are nothing more than unspoken WORDS. Therefore, when those fake arguments and violent altercations happen within someone’s mind, God still considers those words to have been spoken and the evil actions to have been done to another person. Want proof?

1 John 3:15 “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

1 John 4:20 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

These arguments which take place within someone’s mind are attempts to defend themselves and avenge themselves from the perceived disrespect they’ve endured. In essence, it’s revenge. The Lord tells us to not avenge ourselves and hold back our anger because vengeance belongs to Him! Even further, He commands that we display love toward those who’ve offended us.

Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

1 John 4:20-21 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

Proverbs 12:16-19 “A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”

Now, don’t get me wrong … I’m not saying to let your anger stew and boil inside of you. In fact, I’m saying the opposite. Give all your anger and concerns to the Lord and ask Him to free you from these dangerous thoughts and feelings. The fact is that we are allowed to be angry, but no one is allowed to sin while angry.

Ephesians 4:26 “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

With anger comes a distinct risk of sinning through words and/or actions. So, just be cautious.

When someone comes closer to God, they begin to notice that they are just less angry less often. In turn, and more in line with today’s subject, our words become more wholesome and purer!

Some final verses to show just how important and powerful words are.

Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

Psalm 56:4 “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

As we all already know, the Bible is the inspired Word of God and was not influenced by men.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

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