power of words study

Scriptures to Read:

Proverbs 14:1-3 Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish plucks it down with her hands.
2 He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he that is perverse in his ways despises him.
3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold inscribed with silver.

Colossians 3:12-17  Clothed, therefore, (as the elect of God, holy and beloved) with bowels of mercies, with kindness, with humility, with meekness, with tolerance,
13 forbearing one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a quarrel against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, into which likewise ye are called into one body, and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of the Christ dwell in you in abundance in all wisdom, teaching you and exhorting you one to another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with grace singing in your hearts unto the Lord.
17 And whatever ye do whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God and Father by him.

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without dissimulation, abhorring that which is evil, causing you to come unto that which is good; 10 loving one another with brotherly love, with honour preferring one another;

Thoughts:

These verses really talk about the words we say and things we do.  How we treat others, especially the in the family of God or our own family, it very important to God. There are so many that I hear that use words that tear down their family members or church members. There is complaining, gossiping, back-biting, etc. This only brings destruction. God wants us to speak words that are going to build-up others, not tear down. As Proverbs says, a wise woman builds up, but a foolish woman plucks down. Our words are very serious.  There is probably nothing as hurtful as hearing an unkind word spoken about you or a loved one.  I cringe to think someone would even want to speak a negative word about me or my children.  I may even become angry.  Words spoken cause more trouble that most physical actions. Words can hurt, cut and cause deep wounds.  God is not pleased with words that are destructive. We are to exhort or lift up one another. We are to encourage one another. We are to do so in brotherly love and without evil.

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

Matthew 7:3-5 
3 And why dost thou behold the mote that is in thy brother’s eye but dost not consider the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou be able to see to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Our mouth should be used for edification and words that bring joy to our savior, not bring about distention , and destroy unity or another soul. If we are guilty of such things, we need to make it right.  Jesus said if we realize a brother has anything against us, we need to make it right before we even bring any sacrifice to him Matthew 5:23-24.  It is not right for us to not attempt to make something right.  We are to love others, even our enemies. I know there are cases when some are not willing to accept our attempts of apology or forgiveness, but if we have actually done all we can, including pray continually for that particular person,  then we just trust God to touch their heart as well. That is not easy at all.

Basically, we are responsible for the words we say. Word can bring forth life or death.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat its fruit.

I think of that old children's song, Oh be careful little mouth what you say, Oh be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, Oh be careful little mouth what you say.

Challenge:

 1. What do my words reveal about my attitude?

2. What do my words reveal about my heart and relationship with God?

3. How do my words affect others when I say them?

4. Do I have a habit of speaking words that curse rather than bless?