The Power Of Words
Psalm 141:3: "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."
Words can bring life or death. When Ed was a young Christian, an elder in his church said, "Ed, I think you have a gift of teaching." Those words helped shape Ed's future.
In the same way that positive words bring life, negative words of complaint and criticism can bring death. Often we sin with our mouths among friends. It starts with innocent "comments" about someone not present, which lead to further "observations," which reveal our "concerns." Concerns become criticisms, criticisms become accusations...oh how we disguise this ugly progression under "loving" words. Surely we've made Satan's job much easier! Why give our enemy any advantage? It is crucial that we watch over our mouths.*
Food for thought: How have you misused the power of words? Is there anyone you need to confess this sin to ans ask for forgiveness?
Study:
Proverbs 18:21: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit."
Matthew 15:18: "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' "
James 3:10: "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."
*Sherman, Dean. Spiritual Warfare for Every Christian: How to Live in Victory and Retake the Land: YWAM Publishing, 1990.
