Word Power

We’ve known the power of words since we were kids. Name-calling, mocking, teasing, and disparaging comments have left their marks on all of us. Sticks and stones may break bones, but words pierce the soul.

But still, too often, we turn around and do it to those we love most—our kids (and even our spouses)—usually without even noticing. “He’s such a mess,” we tell our friends. “She’s going to be the death of me,” we tattle to their teacher. “The teen years are awful,” we lament on the phone.

Without realizing the effect, we say these things flippantly within earshot of our kids. But incoming thoughts are just a step away from beliefs, and beliefs influence behavior. The phrase “loose lips sink ships” can be applied here in a new way; words can undermine confidence, convey low expectations, and change patterns of thinking. All of these can sink the ship in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Certainly, there is room for mutually understood teasing, confiding struggles with a trusted confidant, or telling the truth in love about a weakness intending to spur growth. But too often, we think our kids’ armor against our words is stronger than it is.

Any good leader will tell you that to create a positive climate, you communicate the standard and then expect it to be met. When we communicate to our children that we expect their teen years to be trouble, we are planting a belief, an expectation, that too often they will live up to. It’s amazing how many good words it takes to counteract those careless bombs.

My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn’t right.

James 3:9-10 (CEV)

The good news is the opposite is also true. If we build up our kids in front of others, emphasize their strengths and help cover their weaknesses, and look forward to their growth phases, we plant the thoughts that good is possible and that we expect great things because they are capable of great things.

God places incredible emphasis on words. May we grow more like him.

PRAY

Lord, thank you for this bundle of potential you have put in my family. Please show me how to build them up and encourage them to be their best for you. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Do you think this saying is true? Why or why not?

Apply: Talk with your kids about what they believe about themselves. When they share negative ideas, ask them who wants them to believe those ideas—God or the enemy.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Proverbs 12:18

Romans 12:10