Speak Life

Have you ever heard someone say, “Your words have power”? When we think about the things spoken to us over the years, we realize how true that is! We can easily remember words that lifted our spirits or brought calm in stressful situations. Those encouraging, lifegiving words often stay with us.

We also remember words spoken to us that were hard to hear. The memories we hold of words that lift and words that hurt remind us of the simple truth, that words matter. While we may often think about the words spoken to us, Scripture teaches us to consider the words spoken by us as well.

I was talking with my daughter recently and I said something that I immediately regretted. It wasn’t directed towards her, but it was my opinion about a situation that sounded harsher than I intended. I apologized and tried to explain what I was trying to say, but once words are spoken, they can’t be taken back. I learned (again) the power of my words!

Proverbs 18:21 teaches us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” This is both a warning and an invitation. It warns us of the harm careless words can cause, and it invites us to use our words wisely so they bring life.

There are many Scriptures that give us instruction on how to choose our words:

• Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt...”

• I Thessalonians 5:11 “Encourage one another and build each other up...”

• Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath...”

• Proverbs 12:18 “..the tongue of the wise brings healing”

• Proverbs 16:24 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

God gives us opportunities every day to speak life and to offer hope, strength, and encouragement to the people around us - family, coworkers, friends, or even strangers. And when we ask Him to shape our speech, He will use our everyday conversations as places where His love can be seen.

Speaking life isn’t about always knowing the perfect thing to say. It’s about choosing, day by day, to let God shape our hearts so He can shape our words. When we slow down, listen, and let His Spirit guide us, our speech becomes a reflection of His grace. Psalm 19:14 becomes our prayer: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight.”

Prayer Tip: Ask God to shape our hearts and our words so they bring

life and encouragement to those around us.

Prayer Points ~

• Lord, please shape my heart so that when I speak, my words are a reflection of Your character and Your love.

• Please help me to see opportunities where I can speak words that are seasoned with grace and kindness in every conversation.

• Please allow my words to bring healing, comfort and encouragement to those around me who are hurting.

• Help me to be aware of how my words impact others.

• Help me to forgive those who may have hurt me with their words.

Father, Thank You for the opportunities You give me every day to speak life. Please shape my heart so that my words are a reflection of Your love. Help me to speak life in every situation—to offer hope, encouragement, and strength to everyone I talk to. Please guard my tongue from harsh or careless speech, and give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent. I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Tammy McGee

Flourish Women's Ministry

Mid-Way Baptist Church