Power of Words (Proverbs 18:21)

A Time to Keep Silence, and a Time to Speak
(Ecclesiastes 3:7b) - PART 3

Power of Words (Proverbs 18:21)
​
Proverbs 18:21, Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Candid communication – specifically between husband and wife – is critical for creating connection and lasting joy. But should you be able to say whatever you want to your spouse? I’ve always tried to be careful what I say to my wife. But many believe you should be able to say whatever you want to your spouse. They call it “just being honest.” On the other hand, some are too careful about what they say because they’re trying to get a particular response from their mate. Actually, that’s manipulation, and I’ve never seen it work to create true connection in any relationship.

Proverbs 15:1, 4, A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. People can either push each other away with a sharp tongue, or build bridges and bring others closer together with their words. The way parents speak to their children has a great effect on how those children learn to think. The way husbands and wives speak to each other affects their marriage and impacts their relationship.

4 Reasons to Be Careful What You Say:

1. Words can hurt. Think before you speak: Is what you are about to say to be taken as attacking, blaming, or criticizing? Just because you’re hurt does not give you the right to hurt someone in return.
2. Words can heal. Be kind and gracious toward one another. You may have heard that “hurt people hurt people.” Consider what might be behind another’s behavior. Chances are they are acting defensively by being offensive.
3. Words can curse. Assuming the worst about your spouse and saying it aloud is the same as pronouncing a curse. Trust me, you don’t want to speak out that kind of potentially self-fulfilling prophecy! (James 3:10)
4. Words can bless. Paul’s admonition to “but speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), does not give you permission to tell your mate everything wrong with them. Instead speak the truth about how God sees your spouse.

Words are powerful, and they can have a great impact either for good or evil (Proverbs 18:21). Being careful about what we say can affect others’ lives as well as our own. Words can take on a life of their own, and we can hurt another person deeply if we speak carelessly. Whether we’re deliberately hurtful, or we speak comfort and encouragement, the effect of what we say always comes back to us. We can break others’ spirits when we speak negatively toward them over an extended period of time. The emotional pain, discouragement, and resentment this generates can eventually cause others to shy away from us. We’re all susceptible to making this mistake if we don’t exercise self-control in what we say.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to speak life and encouragement to those around me. Teach me to walk in love always offering words of kindness, love, and grace so that I do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Help me to be wise and use my tongue to speak healing words. Teach me to know when to speak and when to be still or pray. And when I speak, help me to speak the truth in love. I don’t want my service to You to be worthless because I cannot bridle my tongue. In Jesus name, Amen!

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
​