The Power of Words
Words are transporters
Whether written or spoken, words are transporters that have the power to dramatically affect our lives positively or negatively. Words convey thoughts, ideas, information, feelings, desires, intentions, purposes and promises.
Words carry two kinds of passengers
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Prov 18:21)
Every word we speak carries one of two kinds of passengers. A living passenger is desirable. Death and curses (including deadly sickness, pestilence, destruction) are undesirable.
Without giving it much thought, most of us have said or heard people say things like:
“I am so sick and tired of this mess.”
“I’m just dying to hear what happened.”
“That dress is to die for”
“That just kills me.”
“That child is going to be the death of me.”
Words produce after their kind
Frank Pastore, a major league pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins in the 1970’s and ’80s, had a Christian talk show called The Frank Pastore Show. In his broadcast on November 19, 2012, Pastore remarked:
“You guys know I ride a motorcycle, right? At any moment, especially with the idiot people who cross the diamond lane into my lane, without any blinkers — not that I’m angry about it — at any minute, I could be spread all over the 210.”
About three hours later, Pastore was riding his motorcycle on the 210 freeway when a 56-year-old woman driving a Hyundai drifted into his lane and collided with his bike. Pastore was thrown from his bike, suffered massive head injuries, and died a month later after being in a coma. Mr. Pastore prophesied his death.
Every time we speak, there are physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional consequences, good or bad. When we speak words carrying fear, unbelief, lack, sickness, and death, we are sowing seed to produce a harvest ultimately. Negative words spoken by us, to us, over our lives, can bind us up with hostile forces that wind up controlling our lives. The Bible says that we are “snared” or “trapped” by our words (Gen 1:11; Gal 6:7; Prov 6:2).
Immense power of words
Words carry immense power. You’ve heard the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That is not true. Nothing can cause more damage to your life or that of another person than the wrong words spoken.
“A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.” (Jas 3:5-6, Msg)
On the other hand, nothing is more potent than wholesome, loving words. While on earth, every time Jesus Christ spoke, He said something powerful! His words were purposeful, full of life, full of wisdom, full of grace.
What kind of seeds are we sowing with our words? The choice is ours.
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Can you think of an instance where something you said had a powerful effect, good or bad? Feel free to post your comments.
