“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). Let us not underestimate the power of words. God himself is a personal and relational God and therefore he communicates. By speaking God created the world and he created man in his image with the ability to communicate. With words we can give life to the souls of people and with words we can curse and cripple a soul. Sticks and stones may injure you for a while, but the effect of words will endure long after physical wounds heal. We are human and therefore we have a natural God-given authority which we wield for better or for worse. God gave it and he does not recall what he gives (Romans 11:29). We either wield this authority in the right way or the wrong way. Either way, the authority is there to do good or evil by what we say. We change lives by what we say and in doing so we shape the world in which we live. When people boast, they make others envious, and envy is a plague to the soul. When people accuse others, they shut the door of grace on people and take light from the soul. When one man abuses another, he cripples his brother’s soul. To withhold affirmation from another person is like withholding food from the hungry. Speaking is a significant and powerful human action and you are accountable for every word you utter. Use your tongue to give life and don’t underestimate how much can be given by speaking words in love.
Reflect on how much you talk and why you talk.
Read James 3:1-12
