And just like that, it’s the end of March. To me, 2022 certainly feels like it is blowing by a faster than normal clip. I guess, in part, that’s due to the Inclement Weather Service the nonprofit organization I work at provides during the cold season. I was joking with one of my co-workers that we really only have two seasons: warm and not-warm. In Texas, except for a few extreme heat days during the summer, three of our seasons are fairly similar in temperatures. And in Texas, our cold season can last for a few months or just a couple of weeks. There are nearly more days in the month of February than the average number of days below freezing that we experience in Dallas annually.
Today, March 31st, would be my Dad’s 87th birthday. He passed in 2008. It’s hard to fathom that 14 years have gone by since Dad died a week before his 73rd birthday. I wish he were around to see what’s happening in my life nowadays, although truthfully, I’m not sure what he would think. Dad wasn’t much on religion and having a son who moonlights as a preacher-man probably wouldn’t cause him to do summersaults. But, I’m also helping the poor and that’s something I think he would get behind.
I’ve been spending time the past several weeks really focusing on studying the power of words and what Scripture has to say about being careful with what we say. And, yes, in case you’re wondering, this stems out of multiple conversations I’ve had with people who recently were impacted by my words. One individual shared with me how he was impacted by my words in a powerful, positive way. This gave him food for thought, as he sought to apply the wisdom he says I provided him. Days later, my words upset, embarrassed, and angered another person. Same lips. Different words. Dramatically opposite results.
With strong encouragement from the Holy Spirit, I decided to delve in God’s word to invest time in studying what the Lord has to say about the power of our words and the impact of what leaves our lips has on others. And, as you might imagine, the Bible has a good bit to say about the power of our tongues.
Here are 7 Scriptures that speak to the importance of minding our words:
He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful.
Job 5:15 (New Living Translation)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19 (English Standard Version)
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 (New International Version)
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
James 1:26 (NIV)
Since deep diving into what the Word says about the power of our speech, I’ve had a few other folks share with me how something I said impacted them. Most were positive, some were not. When something positive is said, it usually winds up with a one-on-one conversation between me and the person. However, when it’s negative, it always seems to turn into a meeting involving several people. Funny how that works. You’re probably thinking that maybe I should consider not talking.
This recent experience has caused me to meditate more on the power of our words, specifically my own. Is what I am saying congruent with what I believe? Am I spending more time listening than I am speaking? This is especially true as a manager and leader of people.
How about you? Have you had any recent experiences with words—yours or someone else’s—-that impacted your life in some shape or form? Please feel free to share them in the “Comments” section.
Remember, words are a powerful thing. Choose wisely.
In the meantime, end your week strong and make plans to invest your weekend wisely. Don’t forget to schedule some rest and time to recharge.
Blessings,
The Devotional Guy™
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The Devotional Guy™ 
“Funny how that works. You’re probably thinking that maybe I should consider not talking.”
Please don’t! We can never please people, so we should never try. If we seek to only please God we will never fail (at least in this regard) because our eyes will always be looking up to Him.
My personal view is that it always takes more people to be negative with you (usually more at you than with you), because when you’re doing something wrong you want a group of people agreeing with you to assuage your own guilt. hence the frequently used, anonymous, group criticism approach I’ve seen – ‘they said’ etc rather than ‘I think’.
A little simple or cynical perhaps on my part. But certainly my perspective after plenty of those ‘meetings’ for something that is neither positive, nor helpful, nor true.
I was once taken to task by someone. They’d sought wisdom and been told to take it to God, not to me.
But, they ignored that advice and came at me anyway.
They were enraged and angry and bitter that I led worship so much better than them (their own words).
I listened. God redeemed something through it for them. But, really, where do you go when that happens to you?!?
I simply tried to encourage them to keep going; not to look at how somebody else does something – but to focus exclusively on what God is asking them to do, and to seek only to please Him.
If we only seek to aim to please God, we’d never miss.
Andy B
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Yes words can truly make or break a person & especially with children we need to think about what we say before we say it
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Thanks, Andy. “Taken to task” is part of my every day world. It comes with the territory.
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So true. I agree, being mindful of our words is helpful. Thanks for taking time to read my post and share your thoughts.
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A great list of verses. It is a good mission to be on, knowing what and when to say which words. To some, words are like throwing a dart at an off-center-rolling target. Thankfully I am less and less that person.
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Thank you, Gary.
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May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – I want to make this a daily prayer!
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Indeed! Amen 🙏
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