The Power Of Words

Let your yes be yes, and your no be no! The Bible say that "In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise! (Proverbs 10:19)

"Only speak a word and my servant will be healed…” (Matthew 8:8)

The Roman centurion had a revelation about the power of words that even caused Jesus to marvel at his faith. The truth is that words have great power.

If you were lame, can you imagine the authority in the words of Jesus, commanding you to "rise up and walk" and can you imagine the powerful impact when you did? Certainly the words of Jesus are powerful, but so are ours. The Bible declares that "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverb 18:21). Words will bear fruit, positively or negatively. Whether spoken by you or over you, the power of words can impact or alter the course of your life dramatically. When someone says "Well done!" it brings encouragement and builds your confidence to go forward and achieve greater things. Yet words can also be lethal weapons that bring devastation and damage. One thoughtless, careless word can mortally wound a marriage, or scar a child for life.

One word can change the course of a life

When I proposed to the woman of my dreams, she said one word - "Yes!" - and it didn't just make my day - it made my life! It was the beginning of an awesome God-ordained partnership that has enriched every area of my life and calling.

Saying "Yes" to Jesus is a life-changing turning point in anyone's life. It opens you up to the awesome power of His Word working in your life.

Just as the direction of a horse is determined by its mouth, and a ship is steered according to its rudder, so Paul described the power of the tongue in directing your life (James 3:3,4). The course of your life will be directed by your words.

"If a man thinks he is religious, but does not bridle his tongue, he deceives himself and this ones religion is useless" (James 1:26). What Paul was saying is that unless one learns to control their tongue, their mouth will direct their life, rather than their religious beliefs.

One word has the power to greatly impact the lives of others

Bobbie's "Yes" to my marriage proposal didn't only change the course of her life, but it impacted the lives of so many others. If she hadn't said "Yes," our children and our church possibly wouldn't be here today.

Your words are like deposits in the lives of others that ultimately shape their lives. Encouraging words of praise invested in a young child builds confidence and self-worth, but constant criticism and disapproval produce a sense of failure and rejection. A father may leave home when a child is very young, but his words may haunt that child forever.

The Bible says that "the lips of the righteous feed many" (Proverbs 10:21) and "the mouth of the righteous is a well of life" (Proverbs 10:11). Make a decision to speak words of life that will bless others.

Words cause damage when they are not sincere

Imagine if Bobbie had said "Yes" to my proposal, but she didn't really mean it. What if she said yes because she didn't want to hurt me, but she couldn't really see herself married to me or sticking with me for better or worse, for richer or poorer, or in sickness or health. At the first test or trial, our marriage would have fallen apart.

Some people say one thing but mean another. When a relationship breaks up, people say things like, "It's not you ..." and "we just need to take a break ... " The reality is that they want out.

David described those who say one thing but mean another as "with a double heart they speak" (Psalm 12:2). It is the same insincerity of those who praise God in one instance, but out of the same mouth they curse and criticise others.

Jesus said that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). The content of your heart is expressed through your words. You don't wear your heart on your sleeve - you wear it on your words!

Words are weakened when they are multiplied

Words are weakened when they are multiplied What if Bobbie had responded to my proposal, saying "Yes, I'd like to marry you someday, but I think now isn't a good time and we should wait a while until we've saved up some money. The excitement and power of her Yes would nave been considerably weakened.

Let your yes be yes, and your no be no! The Bible says that "In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). Saying too much can weaken the power of words that generate enthusiasm and momentum.

Take responsibility for what you say, speak words of life and let His Word be the power working in and directing your life!


BY HILLSONG CHURCH