Matthew 12:37 – “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Our words are important. The words we speak to our children and others can determine their destiny. We learn in Matthew 12:34, “…. for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Our words should be encouraging and uplifting. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
The Bible has a great deal to say about the words we use
· Proverbs 15:4 from the New Living Translation, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
· Proverbs 18:4 – “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.”
· Proverbs 20:15 – “There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
· 1 Peter 3:10 – “For He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.”
· Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
· Proverbs 10:19 – “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Our words have the power to wound as well as the power to heal. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” We can speak curses or blessings. The Apostle James writes in James 3:5, “So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A great forest can be set on fire by one tiny spark” (The Living Bible). Our prayer should be the words of Psalms 141:3, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” We must realize the importance and power of the words we speak.
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