The Power of Our Words
Week Nineteen
May 4, 2025
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
they go down into the inner parts of the body.
— Proverbs 18:8 (ESV)
I used to work in a large facility housing both offices and manufacturing areas. There was a particular woman from one of the manufacturing areas that I would occasionally see. She was a familiar face that worked in the same building that I worked in. Sometimes I’d see her in the cafeteria or pass by her in the hallway. Have you ever been driving for a while and come to the frightening realization that you have no recollection of the last fifteen minutes? It was like that. I saw her, but I didn’t really see her.
One day that changed.
Someone I knew made a comment about this woman — a remark in passing. The comment was regarding the length of her break-times and her inability to understand work instructions (English wasn’t her first language). I don’t think these words were meant to be mean-spirited or hateful and the statement wasn't revealing any great sin like adultery or murder; this was just a simple observation, surely not ill-intentioned or meant to do any harm. But our words can carry more weight than our intentions realize.
You see, the next time I saw this woman, I did notice her. I couldn't help but notice her. She had been flagged, labeled by the words spoken about her. I saw her now as the lazy woman who didn't understand English. Because of a few words that may have seemed harmless, my thinking about her went from, “I wonder what her story is” to, “I know exactly what her story is”.
Scripture gives us grave instruction to consider our words. No matter how harmless they may seem, if they are negative, they will stick. Isn’t it human nature? Spill a drop of coffee on a white shirt, and the stain stands out like … well like a stain on a white shirt. We don't notice the sea of white, the 99.9% of clean — we notice the .1% of stain.
Gossip produces debt; debt for the person being talked about. Negative words run up a charge against their victim. How? Because now, to shed their label, the person must prove they are not what they've been labeled. They must perform; they must work off their debt.
Perhaps there are people in your life who are “less than” in your eyes because of words spoken over them or about them. Can I encourage you to release them from this debt right now? Would you be willing to wipe the negative words from their slate? And may I encourage you to take a stand against this insidious sin of gossip? The next time the dessert tray of tasty morsels is passed to you, put your hand up, wave it on, and simply say, "No thank you, I'm on a diet."
Monday
May 5, 2025
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
— James 3:5 (ESV)
Apparently, wildfires aren’t anything new. In this scripture, James uses the analogy of a spark setting a great forest aflame to impact us with an important truth: our words are powerful. Think of the damage a forest fire does. People are misplaced, wildlife is driven from its habitation, property is damaged, lives are altered. Lives are lost. And so your words have the power to impact others; and not only others, but yourself as well. Lord, bridle our tongues and in your mercy may the words we use build up and not burn down.
Have you ever said something you wish you could take back? What was the impact on the person you hurt with your words?
Have you seen your own words come back to you and hurt you? God is our healer. In what ways does your tongue possibly need healing?
Tuesday
May 6, 2025
A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
— Proverbs 16:28 (NKJV)
God hates division; it raises its fist against his very nature and is everything he is not — “Hear O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one.” The LORD God has intended for us to dwell in community and in unity, and careless whispers, wanton words that stir up disunity and cause damage, are despised by our Father. Our Father. God intends for us to be as one for that most reflects his divine character to this world.
How can you battle divisive words? What is your first reaction when you hear someone speak about another person?
Where do words of correction come into play in our relationships with others? How is correction different than cutting or divisive words?
Wednesday
May 7, 2025
Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, you shield my head in the day of battle.
— Psalm 140:7 (NIV)
Naysayers are not in short supply. We have at our mouse-clicking fingertips a plethora of negative news and divisiveness. But the God who is in charge, sovereign Jesus, is head over all things. And this mighty warrior, the Christ, has promised to guard our minds and cover them with salvation as a helmet. We are in a battle against words; we face a constant affront of information. Pray this promise, this Wednesday’s scripture, when you feel harmful words pressing up against the gate of your mind.
When do you find your mind most susceptible to damaging words and thoughts? Where do those words come from?
How do you successfully battle evil thoughts? How can you find peace of mind? (C.f. Eph 6)
Thursday
May 8, 2025
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
— Proverbs 18:21 (BSB)
Many words can lead to trouble. Gracious words, spoken as kind sentiments, lead to life. Our words produce fruit. If we love good words, kind words, uplifting words, the fruit produced will be life — edification and not destruction. Poorly chosen words that are unkind, critical, or negative also produce fruit: bitter fruit. Choose your words wisely, they have the power to bring life or death to those around you. Choose life.
How can you cultivate habits of speech that bring loving words and edify others? Do you see a need for improvement in this area of your life?
What is your default? Do you tend to speak negatively, complaining about everything, or positively with words of encouragement and gratitude?
Friday
May 9, 2025
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.
— Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Paul is clear here; our words have the power to build others up, to reach into the need of the moment and bolster, encourage, and aid. By our words, we have the power to bring grace to the ears of the hearers where there is bitterness, and healing where there is brokenness. Today, you may be that vessel Jesus uses to pour his balm on a heart in need.
Can you think of someone who could use words of encouragement today? How could you reach out to them and what would you say?
Have you ever felt the effect of corrupt (unwholesome) words? How can you counter the effect of those words?