Your Words Have PowerSample

The Real Power of the Spoken Word

Do you recognize the true power of your words—for both good and evil? Many people are unaware. If there was one thing you could do to become spiritually mature, would you do it? If just one thing would make you perfect, would you want to know what it is? Let’s look to the Bible for what the book of James has to say in various translations.

James 3:2

New American Standard Bible: “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.”

The New Living Translation: “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”

The Passion Translation: “We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed.”

Wow! According to this Scripture, controlling our words can make us perfect and mature in our Christian walk. You would think that once we are aware of this truth, we’d all grab hold of it and declare, “If that’s all it takes, that’s exactly what I’m going for.” But most often, we don’t make the effort to change our speech.

There is so much power in what we say. Maybe we’ve read about the power of the tongue while reading the Word and heard the sermons and teachings multiple times. Perhaps we feel we already know about it. If that’s true, then why isn’t it working for us? Let’s dive in together over the next few days and look at this fundamental truth and see how we can change our speech to help us. Let’s pray together.

Lord, I know I have failed to measure my words. I repent. Please forgive me. As I read about the power of what I say with my mouth, I desire to be more careful of my words. Teach me to speak in line with Your truth. Set a guard over my mouth. Give me revelation of the power of words I speak over myself, over my life, my work, my ministry, my family, my friends, and in today’s environment, even over my nation. I choose to pursue becoming perfect in my speech. In Jesus’ name, Amen