August 18, 2022 THE POWER OF THE WORDS WE SPEAK
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt talk come out of your mouths, but only such as good for building up, and fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you might inherit a blessing.”
We know words are powerful, yet we may find ourselves negligent or careless in the words that we speak. Our words can tear down and discourage, or they can build up and bring encouragement. Because our words are powerful, we must be on constant guard over our words. The critical point to know is that words flow out of what’s in our hearts; if our heart is pure, then our responses to others and our words will be words that are profitable and edifying. We are to manage our tongues and not let words we later regret ‘fly’ off of our tongues. It is truly a work of God and contrary to nature, but we can repay evil and insult with blessings-we are called to do just that! We no longer have to get even. We encounter many people who are discouraged, who are on the wrong path in life, who do not know forgiveness, who have been wronged, and who are just hard to deal with people-it is to these, and all others-that we can be the ones to speak words that encourage and give direction. The world does not need more worldly people; it needs people who reflect the love, the character, and the wisdom of God-and that’s us. Our words are indeed powerful; let us be good stewards of our tongues and speak words that build up and encourage; let us rise above giving insult for insult; let us bless, instead of repaying with evil.
Proverbs 15:1, 16:24 “A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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