"Words. Do you fully understand their power? Can any of us really grasp the mighty force behind the things we say? Do we stop and think before we speak, considering the potency of the phrases we utter?
Joni Eareckson Tada
Most of us have been taught since a child to speak nicely. Saying bad words and calling people names are not nice things to do. And once we're adults we have a better understanding of why speaking badly is wrong. It hurts people.
For a Christian, and those who attend church, we've heard sermons on the tongue. Scripture verses familiar are: "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech." 1 Peter 3:10 and in James 3:5, "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small park."
This morning reading in Charles Stanley book "Wisdom from Above" he shared another aspect that may be overlooked: "[Paul] understood that testimonies of Christ's power reinforced his faith."
Stanley was talking about Paul and "the power of positive confession." Discussing words Paul said while in prison showed how positive words affect your outlook. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" helped Paul while in prison, and another time he "sang hymns of praise to the Lord" Philippians 4:13 while waiting for God's deliverance.
"A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over."
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
This was a reminder to me, that in speaking positive words and words of encouragement to help others, I too can be affected with my words. A little thing, perhaps, but God makes much of little things.
"The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 15:4
"Your words don't just influence those who listen to you; they also have an impact on your own well-being ..."
Charles Stanley
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