There are spoken words and unspoken words but they’re words nonetheless. Your thoughts are made up of unspoken words. But once you open your mouth, they cannot be put back in. It’s said that misplaced words -or gossip -are like feathers blown in the wind. You may be able to collect a few but never all. Words matter. Words can establish kingdoms and destroy kingdoms, words elevate and tear down. Words can destroy a life quicker than a bullet. Words. Words can build your self esteem and tear down your confidence. It’s a stealer of dreams and a destroyer of life. Words.
Most people are eating the fruit of the words they have spoken over themselves or others. The words we speak bring life or death. Words. Poverty or abundance. Words. Promotion or demotion. Words. A critical spirit is a crippling spirit. Words. They shape everything whether good or bad. Words. The Bible is filled with examples and warnings about what comes out of our mouths. Words. We use them without even thinking, it’s normal. Even the mute have words - they’re called signed words. Our looks, demeanor, attitudes, are words. As a matter of fact, the greatest struggle we have as humans is shutting up. We always want to be heard. Words. James had some stinging words about the tongue. He says it’s set on fire by hell! Ouch. Words. God wants His children to exercise restraint when it comes to what comes out of our mouths. Kenneth Copeland said this, and I quote: “Words. Use them right and they’ll move mountains. Use them wrong and they can cause your entire life to go up in smoke.” Now let’s look at God’s Word.
The entire universe as we know it was formed by words. God spoke and it was. Genesis 1-2. The entire family structure was destroyed by words. Satan spoke and Eve listened. Words. Words have power, more power than we understand. The devil knows this, and I think it’s high time that the Church of Jesus Christ knew it too. We rattle off faith killers every time we speak without thinking. We need to be more thoughtful about what we’re allowing to come out of our mouths. Just maybe your health isn’t improving because you speak the problem more than you speak the Word about health. Maybe you’re broke all the time because that’s what you speak all the time. Maybe you’re stuck in the rut of your own words. The Bible says we have whatsoever we say. Words. They matter.
1. Matthew 12:34 TPT
For what has been stored up in your hearts, will be heard in the overflow of your words!
2. Psalm 34:13 NLT
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
3. Psalm 141:3 NIV
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
4. Proverbs10:19 NLT
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
5. Proverbs 10:31
The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
6. Proverbs 12:14 NLT
Wise words bring many benefits.
7. Proverbs 12:18 NIV
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
8. Proverbs 13:3 NASB
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
9. Proverbs 15:1 NASB
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
10. Proverbs 15:2 ESV
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
11. Proverbs 15:4 ESV
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
12. Proverbs 15:28 NLT
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.
13. Proverbs 16:24 NIV
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
14. Proverbs 17:27 NASB
He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
15. Proverbs 18:21 NIV
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
16. Proverbs 21:23 NLT
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
17. Proverbs 25:11 NASB
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.
18. Proverbs 25:25 NIV
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
19. Proverbs 29:20 NASB
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
20. Proverbs 31:26 NLT
When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
21. Matthew 12:36 NASB
But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
22. Matthew 12:37 NLT
The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.
23. Matthew 15:11 NLT
It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.
24. Matthew 15:18 NASB
But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.
25. Mark 11:23 NKJV
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
26. Romans 10:10 NKJV
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
27. Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
28. James 1:26 NLT
If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
29. James 3:3-6 NLT
The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
30. James 3:10 NLT
And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
31. 1 Peter 3:10 NLT
If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
When you take control of your words, you take back your life! As long as your words are in line with the Word of God, Satan can’t touch you (Kenneth Copeland).
Another area where we have problems is listening and heeding. We like the last word and we like our own way. But James 1:19 admonishes us to do the following:
“My dearest brothers and sisters, take this to heart: Be quick to listen, but slow to speak.
And Solomon said to his son:
“Listen carefully, my dear child, to everything that I teach you, and pay attention to all that I have to say. Fill your thoughts with my words until they penetrate deep into your spirit. Then, as you unwrap my words, they will impart true life and radiant health into the very core of your being. So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words. Be free from using perverse words no matter what!”
Proverbs 4:20-24 TPT
True wisdom is found in our ability to listen and heed godly advice. None of us knows everything. If all were teachers where would the students be? I have read the Bible a lot and never have I read where Jesus sought to correct a statement He made that was taken out of context. He never tried to dispute lies and arguments. He knew what He wanted to say and never apologized for it. His Words were well placed and thought out. We’re forever trying to clarify our words, because we talk too much. Jesus lived by this principle of His yes being yes and His no being no. We should too. Anything more than that leads to sin and is of the devil. Matthew 5:37 . Words.
With what did Satan tempt Jesus? Words. How did he defeat our fore parents? Words. How did he bring down Nebuchadnezzar? Words. How did David defeat Goliath? Words. Words are powerful! How is fear paralyzing the world right now? Words. Every time you turn on the news you’re being influenced by words. Fear is built upon thought and expression. You think, you speak, you believe. The wandering and eventual demise of the Jews happened in the wilderness because of their words. Numbers 13-14. We should all pray this prayer every day. “Post a guard at my mouth, GOD, set a watch at the door of my lips. Psalm 141: 3. We live or die by the words we speak. So let us be mindful before we open our mouths. Think before speaking. Death and life is in the power of our tongues. We’re Holy Spirit filled consecrated and sanctified children of God. Let’s pray for Spirit filled tongues.
Father in the Name of Jesus
Our lives are being destroyed by the words we speak. Thank you for loving us so much that You care to warn and remind us that our words matter. Help us get on track, when we’ve blown it lead us to the place of repentance and fresh starts. You’ve given us Words to live by, give us wisdom and knowledge to apply the truth we know. In Jesus Name. Amen
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
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