Words can be depicted as shooting arrows or even thrusting sword.
Does the words we utter demeaning with the intent of tearing or destroying that person’s reputation or does it uplift a person’s self esteem?
Have you heard of these words – “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”? Contrary to these words – physical wounds do get healed but cutting words does more damage to a person’s well being and at times its deeply ingrained in the sub-conscious mind.
Words do affect our lives.
Can you recalled a time when encouraging words lift up your soul in trying situations?
While a negative exchange of words causes a negative response.
Like it or not, words do affect us emotionally.
Let’s take an example of a scenario at school – a teacher hurl verbal abuses at his students whilst another uses encouraging, motivating words – which of the two would help the students to excel and build self-confidence?
Its essential to change the way we think, feel and behave and even the frequent words we use to describe our emotional state of mind. We need God’s help to change.
Ephesians 4:29 (NASB) – Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Proverbs 12:18 (NASB) – There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 21:23 (NASB) – He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city that is broken into and without walls, is a man who has no control over his spirit.
Our words surely do have the power to hurt or heal, bless or curse. When we consider God made the world and everything in it by the power of HIS words, our words also create our own environment. The scriptures you included have been a really big help to me on my journey ~ they have changed how I think, speak and feel. They continue to be a strength to me. Thanks for the great reminder.
Thank you Jeannie. You have been such a great encourager. Blessings to you.
Good to read your first POST with this group of Blogging For God. I appreciate your effort and so does the Spirit.
You are so right about words. debar, the Hebrew for “word” are things. The angel said to Mary, Jesus’ mother told her “The Holy Spirit will come upon you…and so the holy (pure, sinless) Thing (Offspring) which shall be born of you will be called the Son of God” [Luke 1:35 AMP]. Mary conception took place when she said, “…let it be done to me according to what you have said…” (verse 38). WORDS have POWER. Negative. and Positive. You determine your words from God’s Word, which in turn determines your thinking. Right words, right thinking; Wrong words, wrong thinking. Thanks again for your Holy spirit inspired words.
Dear Mel,
Thank you for your comments… this was written after much prayers. A text that is short and to the point.
Blessings. Maria
Hi Maria,
Thanks for the post. Yes words can go deep and we do have to be very careful what we say to others. There is power in words, to build and also to wound. God bless
Thank you Bisi for sharing your views too. I appreciate it. Blessings to you.
I wrote a blogpost about the power of encouraging words too, Maria. It is amazing what an encouraging word does to boost our spirits and give us hope. Proverbs 21:23 is a good reminder of guarding our tongues diligently. I think we have to especially be careful with children too as we sometimes get frustrated with them and think they won’t remember. But that is not God’s way. He wants us to build them up as you gave the example of the teacher. Blessings, Amy
I agree with you, Amy. We need to guard our tongues diligently. Children that are wounded by critical words if not healed carry it into adulthood. Thank God God heals our wounded hearts and affirms us as precious to Him. Thanks Amy.