Scripture Reading: James 3

Words have power.

Thinking back, I have said numerous things I wish I could have said differently or decided not to say at all. I can also point my finger on instances where I wish I could have said something, but stayed quiet instead. 

If words didn’t have power, we wouldn’t spend so much time reciting perfectly crafted responses to interview questions or taking as much time as possible to say the first I love you in a relationship. Without the power behind words, our favorite songs would be meaningless, and every word in the Bible would have no impact when spoken. Words have the ability to cut deeper than any of the sticks or stones claiming to hurt worse.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV)

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” (James 3:9 NIV)

We have to take this knowledge and use it to tame our tongue for good. Every word in the Bible is meant to be spoken out loud to our problems, fears, hopes and dreams. We can’t hold the promises of God in our minds or keep them hidden in our Bibles. We have to read and remember, so when a challenge comes and we need to defeat it or encourage ourselves, we won’t faint in that day of adversity (Proverbs 24:10).

It remains to be seen how many of our words have changed someone’s life. A good word does good for the soul, and we are blessed to have a Bible full of them.

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

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