The Power of Our Words

 

"Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light." Genesis 1:3

"So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Genesis 1:27

"Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3 NIV

A few days ago, I was reading the daily reflection in my "The Read Through The Bible in a Year Planner," and this verse from Proverbs was the focus of the day. I would like to quote what they said:

It's no mistake that in several places in the Bible, emphasis is put on the dangers of what you say. Would you have less regrets in life had you faithfully kept your mouth as Solomon advises in Proverbs? Life is the outcome for those who are wise and uplifting in their words. But destruction waits for those who use their words carelessly. 

I underlined the first and last sentences in my book. I wrote in my notes to "Remember:" our words have power to lift us up or tear us down. 

Our own words have power because we have been made in the image of God, and His words have total power, over everything. He did not grant us the same level of power that He wields, of course - our sinful natures wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility that comes with that kind of power! Look at how many of us struggle, causing our own ruin, with the little bit of power we've been granted? Let's talk about the type of power our words have...

Let's start by talking about what we don't have. We don't have what I like to call "Abracadabra" power. We can't say some fancy words and POOF the thing we spoke immediately comes to be. That is the kind of power God has, the instant results power. Our words have power because we speak differently when we speak from a place of faith. Satan knows this, and he is waiting nearby for us to speak our doubts out loud - doubts he probably placed in our heads. 

Constantly talking about all the things that can go wrong opens the door for us to be proven right. I believe this is because it lets the seeds of doubt, that our enemy planted, to take root in our minds...which eventually leads us to believe only those bad things will happen. Remember the old saying, "whether you believe you can or you believe you can't, you are right?" If we have faith that God keeps His promises, then, "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28)

Claim God's promises, from His Word, daily in your life. In the times that you feel drawn to speak out loud the things that could go wrong, pause and speak God's Word over your life instead. Folks, we live in a sin-broken world. This means that the enemy will never allow us to walk a perfect life with no struggles, no pain, no storms or valleys. However, we serve a loving God! We serve a merciful Father, One who has plans to prosper us, and give us a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11) Our job, our purpose, is to have faith, share His love and good news, and repent when we have gone astray. Pretty simple, right? 

It feels like it should be more complicated, doesn't it? The devil wants us to not remember that God's got a good plan for us, and our part in it is pretty small. However, it is important. Our faith, our one hundred percent trust in Him - in His Word - is crucial to our path on this earth. Our spoken words are an extension of our faith. So if we are faltering, and we speak worst case scenarios over our lives, we are going to be on the rockiest path. But if we take a breath before we speak, and in that moment we remember His promises, then we should let our faith spill out from our lips. 

Speaking positive words over our lives, over our loved ones, does not mean we never struggle. It does mean that we have faith that we will never struggle alone. And that our struggles will always lead us to good things according to God's plan. My challenge to you, and to myself, this week: try to catch yourself before you speak negativity out loud...speak God's Word in its place. Try this for 30 days and see the difference in your outlook and in your life! (You may need to carry your Bible, download a free Bible app to your phone, or do some good memorizing of verses to be successful!)

Be blessed and be the blessing, my friends!