Life-Giving Words

April 30, 2012

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:23-24

Your words have power. In every situation, you can bring peace or you can contribute to the storm. Before you speak, ask yourself these questions: Is it Jesus-glorifying? Is it life-giving? Is it healing? We must learn to be selective with our words because at the end of the day we’ll give an account of what we have said (Matthew 12:35-37).

For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Matthew 12:34b

What goes into your heart will come back out. That’s why it’s good to pack the Word down inside so that when you need it, even when you don’t feel ready, you’ll be filled with wisdom. Or in those stressful situations when you’re fatigued and tempted to get angry, you’ll be able to bridle your tongue.

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, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32

If you’re tempted to talk negatively about someone, before you say anything, ask yourself this question: Would I be uncomfortable saying this in front of the person I’m talking about? The Church is an accumulation of people who would be broken without the grace of God. Understanding that will help us to get that judgmental and bitter attitude out of the way and be kind and forgiving to others.

Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:12-14

The hour is critical. Every situation we face has the potential to impart death or life. In times of discouragement I’ve had someone say a simple word to me that was like lighting a match to a fire, and it gave confidence to my spirit. As we get in the Word and renew our understanding about how powerful our words are, our effectiveness will increase and we’ll be used by God to speak life and change into situations all over the earth.

God bless you!
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2012 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.