Joyce Meyer said something the other day that stopped me in my tracks and made me ponder. She said, “Words are containers of power!”
Now that our daughter is almost five, she is old enough to start correcting others (ha) when she hears something that our little family doesn’t allow in our home. For instance, we guard our words around here and don’t say things like, “That scared me to DEATH.” We only speak LIFE here. Even though it seems like such an innocent statement that holds no danger, we don’t agree with it.
Well, our precious Princess likes to correct a certain family member and boy do I get some looks. Ha. She is a Christian too, but she doesn’t understand our reasoning on this matter.
I have shared this many times on my blog, but here it is again:
Proverbs 18:20-21
From the fruit of his mouth a man’s stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Wow, look at the Amplified Version.
Proverbs 18:20-21
A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
God bless Kenneth and Gloria Copeland! They were the first people to really open my understanding about the power of my words. So many people don’t realize the weight of words spoken.
If we did a search in the bible about our words, we would begin to see the importance of what we speak.
Matthew 12:36
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
This scripture in Matthew makes me shudder. EVERY CARELESS WORD …
This morning after spending time in prayer I decided to read through the book of Proverbs. All of the scriptures about MY MOUTH began to jump out at me (since I had just heard Joyce Meyer talking about this subject the day before).
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (Amplified Version)Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
I could go on and on with scriptures about our words. Check your concordance when you have time.
Hopefully these scriptures will soak deep into our hearts.
I know I am definitely TRYING to hold my tongue.
James 3:6
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
So true but hard to do! I'm learning!
I just read that verse in Matthew, and I did a post Friday about that. Mine was really short. though.
Your posts are so refreshing. They make me think.
I have to agree with everything
you said. It's in the Bible
after all! Love the Copelands
and their ministry as well as
Joyce. I hate to hear people,
especially Christians, say
things so carelessly whether
out of ignorance or just not
thinking. Life and death is
in the power of the tongue!
Keep putting these good words
out here in blogland. We need
this.
Blessings,
Sandy
rats I do not think my message went through. I am a friend of tardevils and I was looking for a recommendation regarding a blogger book….she said she thought you may have done it. Please let me know what you think, I want to do it come January when I have a year of blogginging in. thanks so much
Beth, you've made some excellent points. Proverbs is my favorite book and it does gives lots of wisdom about our speech. I don't think we really grasp the seriousness of our speech. And it's so easy to just let things roll off your lip.
Sometimes I have a problem with swearing. It mostly happens when I am mad…which lately is a lot. I will definately have to look in the back of my bible fore help. Great post.
This is my weakness…my tongue. I just need to be more positive & amen always speak life. The Lord is truly dealing with me on that.
Hugs,
MImi
Thank you for sharing.
I love your blog so much sis, bless you.
Amen Beth. The Copelands are truly an inspiration and are right on course with hearing from the Lord. Blessings to you dear one!
Great post, Beth! It's been a while since I visited your blog. I need to come back more often!
I am always praying that the Lord will guard my tongue, and that His words will come out instead of having "me" bubble out!
So true, Beth!! I had to repent for my harsh words/attitude to my oldest son yesterday. Ugh..the flesh!!!
Hi Beth,
As always love your thought provoking post! Your posts reach way down in my heart and make me think! Love Proverbs and have so many favourite verses here. You are such a blessing and inspiration!
Blessings and hugs.