The Power of Words: Speaking Life Over Ourselves and Others
Words matter. What we say and the intention behind our words truly matter. God has been teaching me this lesson lately—about the weight of my words, the power they carry, and the responsibility I have to use them for good.
Think about it: God’s words created the world. By His spoken word, everything came into being. Psalm 33:9 says, “For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” That’s the power of God’s voice. When He speaks, reality changes.
Jesus Himself declared:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” — Matthew 24:35
His words are eternal because He is eternal. Every promise He has spoken in Scripture is trustworthy. His voice never wavers, His words never fail, and His promises are never empty.
But this raises an important question: What has God spoken to your heart? What truths and promises has He whispered to you in moments of quiet? If the Lord has spoken it, then it will come to pass. He will always be true to His word.
While God’s words hold eternal power, our words carry weight, too. In Proverbs, we’re reminded:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” — Proverbs 18:21
This truth hits hard. Our tongues have the power to give life or to destroy. And here’s the catch: we have the choice of how we use them. Every day, our words influence the people around us—friends, family, even strangers.
With our words, we can comfort, encourage, and speak life. We can share the Gospel, offer hope, and build others up.
But with the same mouth, we can tear people down. We can gossip, lie, speak in anger, or criticize.
It’s sobering to realize that something as small as our tongue can wreak such havoc. James 3 paints this vivid picture:
“The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life.” — James 3:6
A single spark can start a wildfire, and in the same way, a careless word can cause destruction far beyond what we intend. And here’s the scary part: once the fire starts, we can’t control it.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. I’m someone who sometimes speaks before I think, and I’ve seen how even small, unintentional words can hurt others. It’s humbling, and it’s a reminder that being careful with my words is an act of love—not just toward others but also toward myself.
We don’t just use words to speak to others; we use them to speak to ourselves, too. If I’m honest, I can be my own harshest critic. I’ve caught myself using words of bitterness, anger, and shame when I talk to myself.
Here’s the truth: when we speak to ourselves in this way, our spirits crash, and our strength fades. How can we build ourselves up if we are constantly tearing ourselves down?
God has been teaching me to develop a habit of kindness toward myself. I’m learning to speak gentle, loving words over my heart—to remind myself of who I belong to and the truth of what my Father says about me.
I am chosen.
I am loved.
I am forgiven.
I am His child.
When we align our words with God’s Word, we build ourselves up and grow in confidence as children of God.
The ability to communicate is one of the most unique gifts God has given humanity. It reflects that we were made in His image.
In Genesis, God spoke creation into being: “Let there be light,” and there was light. He chose the power of speech to bring life and order to the universe.
Later, in John 1:1, we see another profound truth:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Jesus is described as the Word. God chose Jesus as the ultimate messenger—the Messiah, the bringer of life and truth. Through Jesus, we have been given the ability to declare God’s truths, which carry eternal weight and resurrecting power.
If God’s words hold such power, how much more careful should we be with our own?
James reminds us that no human can tame the tongue completely, and he’s right. But through the Holy Spirit, we can strive to honor God with our words. So, I’ve been asking myself:
How can I use my words to honor God today?
How can I manage my thoughts and emotions through moments of disappointment?
Am I willing to speak life instead of bitterness? Encouragement instead of complaint?
I challenge you (and myself) today to:
Speak life to others: Be intentional. Use your words to encourage, comfort, and share hope.
Speak truth over yourself: Replace bitterness and shame with words of kindness. Remind yourself of who God says you are.
Be quick to listen and slow to speak: Let’s think before we speak and ask the Lord for wisdom in our conversations.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” — Psalm 19:14
“Lord, You created this world with the power of Your words. Help me to honor You with the words I speak to others and to myself. Let my mouth be a fountain of life and not destruction. Teach me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and careful with the things I say. Remind me of the power of Your Word and the truth of Your promises. May my words build others up and glorify You. Amen.”
Words matter. What we say matters. So let’s be people who speak life, reflect Christ, and use our God-given ability to communicate with purpose and love.
