Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Power in Our Words

  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3 (KJV)




Have you ever spoken a thought?  You know…… when the words you were thinking came blurting out of your mouth without evaluating the impact they may have?  I’m sure we can all think of an occasion when we’ve done that. 

Have you ever been on the receiving end of hurtful words?  It’s not fun, is it?
Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips. 

Psalm 141:3 (NIV)



We’re told in Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.


James 3:3-7 talks specifically about the tongue, comparing and describing it as:
•    a small part of the body which makes great boasts
•    a bit in the mouth of horses, that can turn the whole animal
•    a very small rudder controlling a large ship in a strong wind
•    a small spark which can start a great forest fire
•    evil among the parts of the body
•    ability to corrupt the whole person
•    can set one’s whole course of life on fire
•    the tongue cannot be tamed (by mankind)
•    it is full of deadly poison


Once a word is spoken, it’s out there…there’s no taking it back. 



•    A single sentence to a teenager could drive them to an eating disorder.
•    Complaining about someone practicing an instrument can stifle their gift
•    Hasty words to your children can leave their little hearts wounded
•    Nagging words to your husband may cause him to not want to be home
•    Spreading gossip, or unverified stories can ruin friendships, & damage reputations
•    Lying words cause people to distrust you

If unkind or gossipy words easily flow from our mouths, perhaps the underlying cause needs to be re-evaluated.  Often the people we are the closest to, see our true colors. 

There is power in our words ~ lots of power.



How much better it would be if we use our words to:   

HELP, not hurt;
ENCOURAGE, not discourage;
LOVE,  not hate;
BUILD UP, not tear down;
SOOTHE, not sting.


Do you remember the poem, Children Learn What They Live by Dorothy Law Nolte?  Here are a few excerpts from that:

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
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This post is linked to:  Women Helping Women, Whimsical Wednesday,

11 comments:

  1. Wonderful lesson Abby. Thank you for sharing, I think if we are all honest we should be able to say it's an area we all need to improve on. Help us, Lord!

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  2. Very wise words Abby. Thank you and Blessings
    Maxine

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  3. condivido perfettamente il tuo messaggio!
    bisogna usare le parole per edificare, incoraggiare ed eventualmente correggere ma con tanta umiltà!
    grazie per la poesia di Dorothy Law Nolte, non la conoscevo e l'ho apprezzata molto!
    un abbraccio,
    Titty.

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  4. As you said, words have power, whether for good or evil. This fact is very evident in the news these days...thank you for reminding me of the importance of my words...and my silence!

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  5. Beautiful words...apples of gold truly. Sweet vintage photos, too.

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  6. Well said Abby.. A lesson of wisdom. I like the extra info you've provided, apart from scriptures. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Reallly pretty, thank you for this important reminder to our spirit!

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  8. "Hasty words to your children can leave their hearts wounded." Ouch, that hurt, but I needed to read those words. Thank you for the gentle, yet much needed reminder to watch what we say. May my words honor the Lord.

    Hugs to you!

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  9. Abby, this is so excellent and goes along with my Bible Study on the words we speak. I shared it with my Sheltering Tree facebook feed.

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  10. Oh Abby...this was exactly what I needed to read today! I praise the Lord for you and the beautiful and challenging thoughts you share...thank you for sharing what is on your heart about the power of our words...you have truly blessed me!
    Have a wonderful month of July!
    Blessings to you...
    Kelly-Anne

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  11. Oh Abby...this was just what I needed to read today...
    I praise the Lord for you, and the challenging yet beautiful wisdom you share here...
    Thank you for sharing what is on your heart, it truly blessed and encouraged mine:)
    Have a wonderful month of July!
    Hugs and blessings...
    Kelly-Anne

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Your comments are blessings to my day.