The Power of Right Words
“A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray.” Proverbs 25:11
Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves. — Joseph Addison.
The words of our mouth have control over our lives, whether we like it or not, or whether we believe it or not. What comes out of our mouth will determine our future. As a rudder controls the direction of a ship, your tongue controls the direction of your life. God made man to be a steward not only over the earth but over his own mouth as well. We are our own prophets. What we say today impacts our tomorrow. Words have the power to change things for good or ill. The success and enduring influence of any systematic construction of truth, depends as much upon an exact vocabulary, as upon close and deep thinking itself. Indeed, unless the results to which the human mind arrives are plainly stated, and firmly fixed in an exact terminology, its thinking is to very little purpose in the end.
The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about our tongue. They are, after all, the wisdom to life. However, what comes out of our mouths is the result of what we have put in our hearts. According to Solomon, life and death are in the power of the tongue. This is why Bible says A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver - - Is like the refreshing orange or beautiful citron, served up in open work or filigree baskets, made of silver.” in other words The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. Just glance through few choice scriptures from the book of Proverbs:
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences”. (Proverbs 18:21)
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”(Proverbs 13:3)
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” (Proverbs 20:19)
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)
Joseph Conrad said “Give me the right word and the right accent and I will move the world.”
Job said "How forcible are right words!" (Job 6:25) Every single one of us can stop and think how good we have felt when someone has spoken words of love, encouragement, and edification to us. Words can cut right through you like a knife, and when those words are positive and constructive, they can have an incredible way of building up your own sense of self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.
One of the verses listed above says that Pleasant words can literally be health to our bones. In other words, good and positive words can give you better physical health as a result of the boost your immune system will receive. However, just the reverse is also possible. If all a child ever hears from his parents as they are growing up are stern and abusive words of condemnation, criticism, and negativity – then that child’s self-esteem and self-worth can be severely affected if it is not properly counter-balanced by other people in his life who will speak out the right kinds of words of love and encouragement to him.
If a child does not get properly watered with words of love and encouragement from his own parents during his early growing years in the family, then sooner or later he will end up believing in all of the lies of his parents as a result of their constant bombardments – and he will then end up growing up thinking that he will never be good enough to amount to anything worthwhile.
The Bible tells us that our words are so powerful that they can bless or curse, encourage or discourage, hurt or heal, tear down or build up. Our words can even influence the way we act and feel as well as determine our attitude and outlook on life...” No matter what it is we are attempting to communicate, getting our point across starts with choosing our words wisely. Our words have the potential to either give life or cause something to die in another person, so use wisdom. Moreover, be certain that we speak without hatred and without intending to invoke anger or negative emotions in another person. Allowing our emotions to rule our verbal responses is the ticket to provoking offense in others. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Anger and frustration is not an excuse for speaking negatively to someone. Especially when we know that our words could hurt the other person. The Bible says, " Understand this, my beloved brothers: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19). If you are in a tense or frustrating situation, take a moment to listen before responding. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep your emotions in check. As people of God, we have the responsibility to speak with wisdom and understand the value of Pleasant words.
Pleasant words means, good and uplifting type words, and a wholesome tongue can also help serve to lift a person’s spirit up, help make their hearts glad and happy, be able to turn away possible wrath and anger, and also help to guard and preserve your own personal life. One wrong word to the wrong person at the wrong time could lead you to having an early departure from this life. If more people would learn how to walk and abide in the revelation and knowledge that is in these verses, and learn how to express themselves in a more positive and godly manner to others – we would have less tensions and conflicts in our marriages, in our families, in our personal friendships, and in the workplace.
It is important to check our motives and think before we speak. Are the words we speak coming from a heart of love, or one of selfishness? In essence, positive and effective communication with those you come in contact starts with you! Notice what Jesus said: “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” God’s ultimate and highest aim for every single one of us is to transform, shape, and mold us into the express image of His Son Jesus Christ – and part of this sanctification process will be the Holy Spirit coming after our word and speech life.
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:17 to arm ourselves with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." We must take up the sword of the Spirit and use it as a base on which we operate our minds.
As we go through life, we will have several decisions to make. We must rely on God's Word when making these decisions. Jesus said to his disciples: "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). God's Word is a compass that will guide us in making right decisions. His Word is "a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path." (Psalm 119:105) God's Word is victory, so believe the Word. Notice what Jesus said: ”But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”" (Mt.12:36-37)
In order to control our mouth, we must first control our thoughts. Right and wrong thinking is the basis for controlling our words. It's the simplest principle, yet it's the most difficult area in our lives to discipline. No wonder the adversary and the corrupted system of the world tries to bombard our minds with evil thoughts of doubt, fear, and discouragement. They want to prevent us from receiving all that God has for us.
“Language is not merely a means of expression and communication; it is an instrument of experiencing, thinking, and feeling. Language is not only the vehicle of thought; it is a great and efficient instrument in thinking.” — Sir H. Davy.
The Bible tells us in II Corinthians 10:5 that " We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,"
The Bible speaks of thoughts, imaginations, and strongholds. The thought coming into one's mind is the initial data or original idea. After the thought arrives, one must decide what to do with it. If the person continues to dwell on the thought, it turns into an imagination or image. And if this person imagines too long, the imagination turns into a stronghold and starts controlling his life.
Where do thoughts come from you might ask. Well, thoughts can come from one of five places: from your five senses, from the devil, from our selfish desire, from corrupted system of the world or people and from the Holy word of God. The devil and your five senses operate through your mind while God operates through your spirit. Romans 8:7 says that the natural mind alone cannot know God, for God speaks to you through your spirit and your spirit speaks to your mind. Whether or not your mind can utilize these thoughts is dependent upon whether or not one's mind is renewed by the Word of God.
We as humans face a constant power struggle. While we have the Word of God coming into our hearts, the devil is putting thoughts into our minds against the knowledge of God. It is our job to cast down this wrong thinking. Perhaps you've cast them down so many times that you feel your caster's worn out. Well, the good news is that you don't have to keep wrestling with these bad thoughts, but instead replace them with good thoughts. You can reprogram your mind with the Word of God, then anything that comes against the Word of God will be cast down.
The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7: "As a man think in his heart, so is he." This is a spiritual principle which can never be broken; it always works, much like the law of sowing and reaping. God has a great plan for your life; He tell us in Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.."
Even though God's plan for you is good, you must believe it to receive it and then confess it. We must be careful not to thwart these plans by what we think. If you allow the devil to occupy your mind with his thoughts for you, then he is able to build up a stronghold against the good plan that God has for you.
Thoughts are the seeds planted in the garden of the mind. We need to be good stewards and sow good thoughts in order to reap the full harvest of what God intends for us to have according to His Word.
What should we be thinking about you might ask? Well the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8:
" Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.."
You can't just pick one word out of this verse such as "whatever is true" and not walk in line with the rest of the verse. We need to take all of it. Our thoughts should meet all of the godly attributes listed in this verse.
We will become victorious in life when we change our thinking or thought life. Some are praying and waiting for God to change what they think about, but it's up to them to change their own thinking by reading and digesting the Word of God and avoiding harmful worldly influences. Remember, we can't stop the enemy from bringing thoughts to our mind, but we can control what we dwell on. We need to choose to think God's thoughts. As followers of Lord, we are to be thinking on what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy.
We must not let frustration, fear, or anger rule our hearts, but rather let " the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7).
Our minds are like a computer. They know nothing except what they have been fed. And, just like a computer, our mind can be affected by bad data or viruses. Fortunately, we have access to top-powerful antivirus software - the Word of God.
We need to get our minds thinking scripturally. We have to be very selective as thoughts continue to bombard our minds. Your mind will accept or reject thoughts according to what it knows about the Word of God. For when we read the Word of God, are minds will become transformed and renewed "that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God"(Romans 12:2). We need to pay attention to every word and phrase that comes out of our mouth because each word will affect your future. Your future (good or bad ) is in you, right now. It's in your mouth and it's determined by the words you speak. Man was created in the likeness of God and given the right to choose his own words, speak them, and thereby declare his eternal destiny.
God Bless you
