Words are some of our most powerful tools…for good and for evil. Scripture says so much about our speech. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” [Prov 18:21] ” If anyone things he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” [James 1:26] “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up…” [Ephesians 4:29]
It is true that most of us have had a time where even as we were saying something harsh to someone, we were almost wishing we could take it back, right as we spoke it. The horrible truth is that we can damage relationships, hurt good friends, or make our children or spouses cry…all with a few carelessly uttered words. I have done it, and so have you.
It has been my daily prayer for over a decade now that God would give me “Words of Life” for my children and my spouse. For my coworkers and in my meetings. For someone who comes into my office to talk…or to ask questions. Giving words of life to people is a conscious decision. Not that we should just tell people what they want to hear, but rather that we would encourage them with promises from God’s word. An observation of the movement of God’s spirit in their lives, or even perhaps how God has laid them on our hearts, and we prayed for them today.