There is P O W E R in our words.
Our tongues have POWER. The words we choose to say have the power of life or death to the person who receives it.
I find that I can be very quick to speak without often thinking beforehand. I have encouraged people with my words, but I have also hurt people with my words.
In this exciting New Year, 2018, I want to use my words wisely, be actively intentional about the words I choose, think more before speaking and listen better.
I strive for these words to be; loving, encouraging, strengthening, edifying, comforting, joyful, positive, kind, patient and of a gentle nature.
People already know their weaknesses so let us choose to point out their strengths and not tear them down!
God’s Word is loaded with verses speaking of the power of our words and how we should be looking to be positive and edifying with our words, not corrupt, negative, impatient or angry communicators.
As people who love God and want to make him known by sharing our faith let us choose to speak words which build people up. In this way I pray that people who don’t share our faith will see that we are choosing to live differently to the people of this world and question it.
In Proverbs there are a few verses which are valuable and beneficial as we choose to journey to speak words with power.
Proverbs 15 verse 1: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15 verse 23: “How delightful is a timely word!”
Proverbs 16 verse 24: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 18 verse 13: “He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame.”
And in the New Testament,
1 Thessalonians 5 verse 11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.”
Ephesians 4 verse 29 says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
One of the best ways we can share our faith is to be encouraging and loving communicators. People will recognise when we aren’t hypocritical, selfish, hateful or untruthful.
Let us choose to utter truth, speak words of delight and build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Let us speak life.