Speak Life

Words are powerful.

It's because of words that we are here on this beautiful planet today. God spoke. It happened. All things were created. With words.

Sure, we aren't God, but that doesn't mean our words don't have power.

...Whoever SAYS to this mountain, "be removed and be cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he SAYS will be done, he will have whatever he SAYS.
Mark 11:23 NKJV (emphasis mine)

Wow. That says WHOEVER. That means me. That means YOU. Our words have power.

Makes you think about the words you say, huh? I know it does me!

It's really easy most days to say the negative things. "I look horrible this morning." "I can already tell today is going to be a bad day." "I can't stand her--did I tell you what she said to me last week?"

Positive words sometimes come harder. It's easy to talk about someone behind their back. (Especially now when we can stalk them on social media... guilty.) It's also easy to say negative things about ourselves, whether or not anyone else is around to hear those things.

How much do your words really matter? A lot.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 18:21 ESV

The words you say contain the power of life and death. Positive words bring life. Negative words bring death.

Are you killing or giving life to your friends? To your situation? To yourself?

What are your words declaring? Are you declaring for God's glory or for the enemy?

It's time we train ourselves to not only stop speaking negatively, but to start speaking positively. This can take some work! But you can do it. And you aren't alone. I'm working on this myself! Ever since I've started studying more about the power of words (I highly recommend this book), I've been trying to choose mine more carefully and speak LIFE. Not only about the people around me, but also about myself and my struggles.


Application:

Train yourself to speak life instead of death.

Instead of "I can't do this," say "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Instead of "I'm ugly," say, "I am beautiful."

Instead of "I'm depressed," say, "I have the joy of the Lord."

Instead of "I'm anxious," say, "God gives me peace that passes all understanding."

Pray the scripture:

Lord, make me aware of what I speak over my life and those around me. Set a guard over my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3)

Do not let unwholesome talk come out of my lips, but rather let my words be good and helpful, encouraging those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29)