The spoken word can have a powerful impact on the listener. Once spoken, our words are irreversible. They can bless or curse; heal or hurt; be gentle or incite anger; edify or tear down; be useful or destructive. Although we have no power over how our words are received, we do have stewardship over what we say...and how we say it.
The mighty Word of God says that the tongue is “a world of wickedness among the parts of the body,” that “death and life are in the power of the tongue,” and that “the one who guards his mouth preserves his life.” Our words have immense power! While righteous words are life-breathing, careless speech can have devastating consequences.
LORD God, help us to be quick to listen, slow to anger and slow to speak. Show us how to guard and tame our tongues. Bend our speech to be useful and gentle, seasoned with grace and wisdom. Lead us to speak truth in love...like honey to the soul of the recipient. Forgive us, LORD, for any unrighteousness we commit with our words; protect and heal us us from the careless words of others. Teach us how to utilize our words to bless, comfort and edify one another. Remind us always of the magnitude of our words, and let us be Holy Spirit led in all we do and say. In The Name of Jesus we pray...Amen!
Matthew 12:36
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest on fire. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Psalm 49:3
My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
Ecclesiastes 10:12
Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;
Proverbs 13:3
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Romans 14:19
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
1 Peter 1:15
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.
