Abundant Grace Fellowship
The Power Of Your Words
The Power of Your Words
By Pastor J.D. Link
Abundant
2Cor 13:1 tells us that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established. When you see something in The Word of God repeated two or three times (in proper context), that truth becomes established. When you see something repeated dozens of times, you can rest assured that it is an important matter. The power of your words, and controlling your mouth, is one such subject. A multitude of Scriptures concerning this are found thru out The Bible, and I believe that should make this an important issue to us as Believers. Let’s get into God’s Word.
Eccl 5: 1-7 says “ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words (Prov 17:27-28). When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
I encourage you to meditate carefully on these verses. God calls talking too much the “sacrifice of fools”. I don’t want to offer that sacrifice. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should listen at least twice as much as we talk (Jam 1:19). Not only is a fool’s voice known in a multitude of words, but where there is a multitude of words, sin is present (Prov 10:19). That is why king David asked God to guard his mouth and lips, that he wouldn’t sin with his tongue (Ps 39:1, 141:3). David knew that he who guards his mouth and tongue, keeps his soul from troubles (Prov 21:23). If your having all sorts of troubles, chances are your mouth is a big part of your problem (Prov 13:3).
Do you think you’re a Christian? Your mouth may prove otherwise (Jam 1:26). Death and life are in the power of our tongue (Prov 18:21), so our speech as Christians should be with grace (Col 4:6); it should encourage and build up those that hear (Eph 4:29-32). The mouth just speaks what’s in the heart (Mt 12:34); so in order to tame your tongue (Jam 3:8), you must first establish your heart (Heb 13:9).
Here are some applicable quotes from various people: “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” “The words we say will teach, if we practice what we preach.” “When you are arguing with a fool, make sure he isn’t doing the same thing.” Great minds talk about ideas; Average minds talk about things; Small minds talk about other people.” “Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word, before you let it fall.” “A holy mind cannot repeat a vile thing, let alone be the creator of a vile suggestion.” “If you think little of a person, you ought to say as little as you think.”
Of course, the cowboy Will Rogers puts it plain and simple: “Never miss a good opportunity to shut up.” Jesus said we would give an account of every idle word spoken; and that we would be either justified or condemned by them (Mt 12:36-37). That’s a pretty serious admonition. I think Jesus cares a lot about what we say. Therefore, if we speak, we should speak God’s Words (1Pt 4:11); we should speak as unto The Lord Jesus (Col 3:17). Our speech should encourage; build up; strengthen; give hope. If this word has convicted you, don’t harden your heart and turn away from it. Humble yourself, and let the Holy Spirit do His work in you. Thank God His mercies are new everyday; so it’s never too late to start doing the right thing. Until next time, rejoice in The Lord!