Our Words Matter

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:1-4 (NIV)

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live…” Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)

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With the power of His words, our triune God called the universe into being out of nothing. His powerful words created water, land, stars, plants, animals, and the life of all mankind to fill His creation. When you received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you received this same power of words because Jesus’ Spirit is alive in you. Your words speak life when you align with God’s words.

Like Jesus, you have authority in your words. Jesus resisted the enemy after a 40-day fast in the wilderness with words. He responded boldly to satan about the power of God’s word when he resisted the enemy in the desert. He confidently quoted Deuteronomy when He spoke, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

In Proverbs 18:21, Solomon instructs us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it will eat its fruit.” The more we use our words to speak curses or blessings, the more we will receive curses or blessings back. Seeds of encouragement and seeds of criticism grow harvests. If our words are unkind, we receive harshness back. If we speak encouragement, we harvest grace. We reap what we sow. When we speak disparagingly about ourselves, even in humor, we speak curses that empower our enemy’s schemes against us. But “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

The words Jesus prayed in blessing the little boy’s lunch transformed the two fish and five loaves of bread into 12 baskets of leftovers after feeding thousands of people! (Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9, John 6) Similarly, the humble blessings we release by our words are magnified by God’s hand.

Just as our words create blessings, they can also create negative results. In Mark 11, we can read an account where Jesus was hungry on his way from Bethany to Jerusalem and looked for figs on a tree. It had no figs and Jesus rebuked the tree by saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”  Mark 11:14 (NIV) When the disciples returned from Jerusalem after the crucifixion, they noted that the fig tree had dried up, accursed. Many people are seeking therapy today for the negative impact of curses spoken to them. One young man completely gave up his musical talent and drum set when a band director criticized him deeply. Words from that musical coach may have cost a destiny.

Our words matter, and we are accountable to God for what we do with them. Our self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, is a worthy pursuit regarding what we should or shouldn’t say. Think twice before speaking, especially if you are emotional; it will benefit you. As Proverbs 15:1 points out, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Make your words count for Jesus’ purposes.