Words Have Power: 4 Ways Words Impact Us

Words are everywhere. We speak, listen, and think with them. Moreover, relationships, careers, and lives are built and ended with words. Words have power.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits (Proverbs 18:21 ESV).

How we choose to speak and the words we select have an overreaching influence on who we are and what we do.

I wonder, do we realize the power of what we say?

Let’s take a closer look at four ways in which words can impact us. The first two are obvious as we all experience positive and negative words on a daily basis. But, withholding words and self-talk can sometimes fly under our radar because we don’t recognize it. Ready?

POWER OF POSITIVE WORDS

First, let’s start with the good stuff. Words can be positive. For example, God reveals His purpose in written and verbal expressions, and He spoke the world into existence with words. Additionally, language teaches and exhorts, gives good news, and allows for interpretation of data. Even more, words warn, encourage, admonish, and show love.

In summary, God ordains words to be significant.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver (Proverbs 25:11 ESV).

Are there situations in your life where you have benefited from positive words?

POWER OF NEGATIVE WORDS

Conversely, the flip side is also true. Negative words have power. Words can be negative when they occur as accusations, blame, gossip, fighting, anger, lashing out, temptation, manipulation, interrupting, criticizing, complaining, slander, defaming, and meddling (that’s a mouthful!).

Think about it; a lie has to be spoken to exist.

However, God admonishes against negative, false speech.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV).

What do you think is the source of your negative words?

POWER OF WITHHOLDING WORDS

For me, withholding words is one of the most telling signs of someone’s character. In a prior relationship, my significant other withheld communication as a form of punishment. While sometimes we need to take a cooling off break, he would deliberately not speak to me because he knew it hurt me. If I made plans he didn’t like or didn’t support him in the way he saw fit, I received silence.

Withholding words has power. People can use silence as a safeguard, a sign of strength, or as a weapon.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it (Proverbs 3:27).

When is holding your tongue a good thing?  A bad thing?

POWER OF SELF-TALK

Of course, self-talk is huge for all of us. How we speak to ourselves influences our mood and our motivation. Moreover, we can compare ourselves to others and think of how we fall short. We can believe the lies of the devil, “I’m not enough,” “I’m all alone,” or “I’ll never be able to do it” and repeat these falsehoods over and over again, doing Satan’s work for him!

Remember, it’s just as easy to speak positive words to our souls, but somehow our tendency is to err on the side of the negative. That makes positive self-talk all the more important.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8).

How has your self-talk affected your life?

GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR WORDS

God says that our words matter.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).

Listen, words are a choice. We can opt for doubt or truth in our words, anger or gentleness, pride or humility, and hate or love. We choose to build or tear down, every day and with every sentence. God’s plan is for humility and edification in our talk.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

We choose to build or tear down, every day and with every sentence. God’s plan is for humility and edification in our talk.

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WHAT CAN WE DO?

First, we can take a step back and prepare to choose the right words using truth, love, and restraint, which definitely isn’t easy. I use prayer and implement a mandatory waiting period before I speak if I feel my emotional temperature rising.

Secondly, we need to consider our audience. Who do you wish to reach and why? Are they in your circle? Are they unsaved? Our approach will vary depending on the receiver.

Thirdly, reflection on the problem or problems at hand should occur prior to speaking. In this way, our words act as ambassadors for what we believe. Think through the issue before launching into a rant. Examine all perspectives.

Good talk means not substituting what makes us comfortable for the real truth. Additionally, we need to focus on listening to and understanding the other person rather than being understood.

How we speak is indicative of how we act. We walk our talk. Let both your walk and your talk be seasoned with salt.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29 ESV).