The power of your words
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[00:00:00] Words seem simple, ordinary, even we speak thousands of them a day without even giving much thought to it. But scripture tells us something different. Words aren't simple, they're powerful. They're either building something or they're tearing something down. Proverbs 18, verse 21, says, the tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Today we're diving deep into the incredible power of our words, what scripture says, why it matters in every area of our lives, and how we can use our words to build up instead of tear down. So let's get into it. Hi friends. Welcome back to Raising Faithful Families. I'm your host, Katie Bordeaux, and today's episode is an important one.
We're talking about the power of our words. Not just in parenting, not just at home, but in every sphere of our lives. Personal, professional, relational, spiritual, because the truth is God has [00:01:00] given us this incredible gift. The ability to speak, and with that gift comes a lot of responsibility. The words that we speak have a real impact on ourselves, on others, even on the atmosphere around us.
So today, let's explore how we can become people who speak life on purpose. Let's start with the general understanding that words are not neutral. They're either building or they're tearing down. They either align with God's truth or they can sow confusion, fear, and discouragement. James three tells us that although the tongue is a small part of the body, it has immense power.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire James three, five through six. It's humbling almost to realize that something so small can carry such weight, but that's why God speaks so seriously about how [00:02:00] we use it. Ephesians four verse 29 commands us, let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.
Did you catch that our words are meant to build up and give grace. That's the blueprint. This isn't just theoretical. We see it play out in real life over and over again. Craig Gelle, a well-known pastor and leadership expert, often speaks about how speaking life over his church and his own life has changed the reality that he's walked into.
He would declare. I am disciplined. Christ in me is stronger than the wrong desires in me. Long before he truly felt disciplined. Over time, the words that he spoke began to shape the reality that he lived. Joyce Meyer has shared that speaking scripture over her emotions. Even way before she felt [00:03:00] strong was one of the ways that God healed her from deep wounds in her early life and built strength in her.
The words that you choose create the world you live in. They frame your mindset, they create the culture of your home. They shape your relationships. They guide you as a parent. They direct you as a leader. They even impact the thoughts that you speak about yourself. In my own life, especially as a mother, I'm deeply aware of the responsibility that my words carry, and I'm careful not to speak things over my child or myself that I wouldn't wanna see come to pass.
So I would never casually say, oh, he's just difficult, or he just never listens. Even if it might be a harmless joke that. Many parents say on a day-to-day basis, I find it very important to intentionally speak positivity. I say things like, you're such a great listener. God made you so capable and strong.
I love how you use your [00:04:00] kindness to bless others even on the hard days, even when the behavior does need correction. It's important to me to separate the moment from my child's identity or separate when I'm struggling with something from my identity, because I believe that words plant seeds and I want to plant the right ones.
Throughout scripture, we see the weight that's placed on words. First, God spoke the world into existence. Jesus is called the word made flesh in John one 14, reminding us that God's message wasn't just spoken, it was lived out through Christ. That shows us how powerful words truly are when they're embodied with truth and love and action.
We're told to be slow to speak and quick to listen. In James one 19 words are powerful because they reflect the nature of God himself. And because of that, we have a calling to steward our words with intentionality, to use [00:05:00] them to speak truth, encouragement, correction, with love and hope, if you're wondering, okay, I get it, but where do I start?
Here are a few ideas. Number one, bless instead of curse when you're frustrated, choose words of blessing, even internally, even in your mind, and that can be the hardest part. Next, affirm God's truth. Speak scripture over your life and your family. You are not who anyone else says you are. You are who God says you are.
And then pause before you speak, take a breath and ask yourself if these words will build up or tear it down. Ask yourself if these words are for the good and the grace of someone, or if they're not. Be specific with your encouragement. Instead of offering vague praise, call out specific strengths that you see in others.
It makes a much deeper impact and speak faith over situations, even when circumstances are hard or [00:06:00] bad. Speak with hope. I don't know how this will work out, but I trust that God is working. Friend, God cares deeply about your words, not because he wants you to walk on eggshells, but because he knows the power that he's given you.
The ability to speak life, the ability to encourage, the ability to heal with your voice. Let's take that seriously, not with fear, but with awe of God, with joy, with purpose, and let's be people who, whether at home, at work, or out in the world, speak words that align with the heart of God. If today's episode encouraged you and your craving even more practical tools to help you parent with peace and purpose, I have something very special to invite you to if you wanna go deeper and learn to speak life.
Learn to lead your family with calm and build a Christ-centered home. I would love to invite you to the Calm and Confident Club. It's my monthly membership designed to help like-minded parents grow in faith, [00:07:00] emotional health and family connection with practical tools and biblical encouragement every step of the way.
Inside, you'll find everything you need to build a peaceful, purposeful home, and a community of parents who are walking the same journey with you. You can join today for just $7 at covenant collections.com/club, or there will also be a link in the description to join, and I would love for you to be a part of it.
Words matter. They build, they bless, they heal, they empower. So today, speak life over yourself, over your children, over your spouse, over your work, over your future, because the power of life and death is in your tongue, and today you get to choose life. Thanks for joining me today. If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, share it with a friend who needs this reminder, and I'll see you next time.
