One of the most misunderstood precepts of the Bible and the Ways of God, is the power He has put into the spoken and written word. Not only His own words, but those of mankind and Angels. To show the value He places upon words…remember that the Bible declares that everyone will be judged upon their “idle words.” He warned us in the Ten Commandments, not to use (speak or write) His name in vain…meaning, not to use it without real cause. Words are so powerful that everything was “Spoken” into existence…including us.

Deception also comes at the power of words. Words spoken in contradiction to God’s words are deceptive and damaging to our faith. Lies are forbidden by God, who warned that “all liars will have a place in Hell,” because the wickedness contained within lies. In order to lie, one must purposely decide to deceive, deflect or lead someone into an untruth…no matter how great or small. These lies can be used to protect one’s self from punishment, or in order to manipulate someone else for a desired outcome. No matter the intent…it is from the “Father of Lies,” Satan.

Throughout the Word of God, we see where words brought both life and death to the hearer. When God spoke…things were created or destroyed. Proverbs 18:21 declares: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit…” We know that God created the Heavens and the Earth and all the Host of them with His spoken word. We also know that His declaration that the Earth would be destroyed with a flood, and that Sodom and Gomorrah would also suffer destruction were spoken forth as well. We know that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead by speaking words to him, and that He also healed using just words. We know that Pilate sentenced Jesus to death upon the cross with words. Truly…life and death are in our words.

We live in a society that claims a right to “free speech,” meaning that we are fundamentally able to say anything we desire, good or bad, true or false, brilliant or silly. However…according to The Word of God, our words should be taken with great value and never simply used as time or space fillers.

I want you to look closely at each of the following words and think about their power:

Life, Death, Cancer, Diabetes, Insanity, Alzheimer’s, Love, Peace, Fear, Brokenness, Depression, Defeat, Joy, Anger, Bitterness, Eternity, Hell, Heaven, Murder, Rape, Poverty, Wealth, Mean, Kind, Short, Tall, Fat, Ugly, Handsome, Pretty, Liar, Righteous, Smart, Stupid, Funny, Idiot, Deaf, Blind, Failure, Success.

Again, look hard at those words and think about the feelings they conjure up inside you as you read each one. These words are powerful and can affect our emotions, simply by reading them on the page.

Why? After all, aren’t they ‘just words?’

No, they are powerful because each one represents a state of being or an action that is either very pleasant or very painful. Think about how many relationships have begun, prospered and brought fulfillment with words of life spoken between the two people. Likewise, think about how many relationships have been ruined by mere words. With our words, we can speak life, peace, kindness, sweetness and love. Likewise, with our words, we can speak bitterness, hatefulness, sorrowfulness, meanness, etc.

Our words directly impact us.

In the Bible Jesus tells an interesting parable, regarding sowing and reaping. He explains that the sower, “sows the WORD.” The words sown will ultimately bring forth fruit. Either they will produce abundant life, or they will produce thorns that choke the life out of an otherwise fruitful plant.

In Luke 6:45, Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

Think about that statement long and hard. In other words, whatever is in our heart, those are the seeds we will sow forth into our lives. If our hearts are bitter, angry, full of defeat, fearful or uncaring….all of our words will proceed from that heart. However, if our hearts are full of peace, love, hope, faith, and trust in the Lord, our words will reflect that…sowing words of life and abundance into our lives.

It is no secret that a negative heart produces negative words, which produce negative results.

A positive heart produces positive words, which produce positive results.

I challenge you to listen carefully at your words. Are they full of fear, doubt, hopelessness, anger and bitterness…or are they filled with faith, hope, love, peace, joy and expectation?