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The Power of Words

In our everyday lives, as we engage with others and make that human connection, it’s important to remember that our words greatly impact how we make others feel. The Bible reminds us that our words carry a profound weight. Proverbs 18:21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," this refers to the transformative influence our words can have. As believers, our speech is a means of communication and a sacred tool that can either breathe life or harm.

The Power of Words

As Christians, we recognize the power of words. In Genesis, God spoke the world into existence, demonstrating His Word's power. When we think about the use of our words, it's important to realize that we also have power in the way we make others feel. We can either lift or tear down. Proverbs 15:4 reinforces this, stating, " The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. When our speech is rooted in love, compassion, and God's truth, it can be a source of life and growth for us and others.

The Spiritual Impact on Self and Others

The words we speak influence not only our interactions with others but they also have an impact on our spiritual journey. What we say should be a benefit to those who are listening.  Our speech should be a helpful tool. It should be used for edification, promoting spiritual growth and unity among others.

Our speech can have an impact on ourselves as well. Our own self-talk can have a negative effect. Negative self-talk is speech or thoughts we have that minimize our ability to accomplish our goals. It takes away our power to operate with confidence.

As we study the Bible it encourages us to guard our hearts and minds. Philippians 4:8 states “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Cultivating a Christ-Centered Speech

Christ-centered speech means we are aligning what we say with biblical principles. We are called to speak words of love, encouragement, and truth, that reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Here are 5 Practical steps for Cultivating Christ-centered Speech:

Use Prayerful Speech: Seek guidance from the Holy Spirit in choosing words that glorify God and build up others.

Use Scripture as a Guide: Let the teachings of the Bible shape your words, using them as a foundation for encouragement and wisdom.

Seek Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Embrace the Christian principles of forgiveness and reconciliation, both in your words and in response to the words of others.

Reflect Christ's Love: Model your speech after the love exemplified by Jesus, He spoke with compassion, grace, and truth.

Speak Life: Be intentional about using words that breathe life, offering hope, healing, and encouragement to those around you.

Our words hold power. As believers, we must understand that what we say can either mirror the transformative love of Christ or go against the principles of our faith. Let's aim to use our words to bring joy, understanding, and positive change into our lives and the lives of those we meet.