Our Words Have Power...and Consequences
Jun 19, 2023Do you ever wish you had a button that would censor your words before they went into the intended target’s ears? Or perhaps a button that would automatically enable a moment of pause before we speak?
I sure wish I had a ‘magic’ button for those times I’ve said things that didn’t come out quite right, or when I have said words…shaking my head in shame…to intentionally inflict pain on someone because they’ve hurt me. My stomach is in knots just thinking about it! My words can get me in trouble far more often than I’d like to admit. Can you relate?
As I was studying Matthew 12, I was reminded of the significance of words. Actually, it hit me right in the heart because my words aren't always sweet, gentle, kind, or even truthful. It goes far beyond hurt feelings or moments of embarrassment.
In this passage, Jesus said,
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit…the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” 1
Wow! We will give an account of every word we speak. That's a bit scary and overwhelming. That gives us even more reason to speak kindly, gently, and truthfully to others. Jesus said a good tree [or person] would bear good fruit. And when others hear our words, are they seeing good or evil? What does our words say about the condition of our heart?
I don’t know about you, but the ones I love most are usually the ones I hurt most with my words. No doubt they would agree when I say, I can be very short and snippy, especially when I’m busy or tired. It’s easy to make an excuse as to why we respond with harsh words, but in reality, it speaks more about the condition of our heart than anything else. “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” When I'm giving my husband or children a tongue lashing, certainly I crush their spirit.
Not to mention the arguments that are caused by a quick-tempered remark. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words make tempers flare.”2 And I've seen it play out both ways depending on my responses. We're going to be accountable for every word we speak - good and bad. Do we really want to relive those moments when we are words and actions are less than godly to our spouse, children, friends, and strangers? That makes me cringe a little.
Although we should bear good fruit with every person, I believe it’s especially important that we respond gently to our family members. Jesus says in Matthew 12:25, “Every household divided against itself will not stand.”3 Harsh and callous words bring about resentment, anger, low self-esteem, and all sorts of negative repercussions. We don’t want to cause a rift within our marriage or the relationship we have with our children by having a quick temper or being impatient. Our words have power...and consequences.
But what is the good fruit we are to bear? I'm glad you asked!
Paul writes in Galatians 5:22-23, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”4 This fruit is abundantly plentiful, but where do we find it?
We must abide in – remain connected to – the one True Vine who is our Creator. “I [God] am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much [good] fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”5 And Jesus went on to say, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.”6 We are only able to bear good fruit when we remain in - walk closely with - God…and even then, we won’t get it right every time because imperfection plagues us until we get to Heaven.
“The tongue has the power of life and death. Whoever guards their mouth preserves life.”7,8 The enemy knows where and how to attack us, but we have all we need to fight back when we abide in the one True Vine…apart from Him we can do nothing, but “with Him we can do all things because He gives us strength.”9 Let’s bring life back into our home, our marriage, and the lives of our children by speaking God’s Word in our home. “His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path!”10
Today’s Bible Verses
- Matthew 12:33-37, NIV
- Proverbs 15:1, 4 NLT
- Matthew 12:25b, NIV
- Galatians 5:22-23, ESV
- John 15:5, NIV
- John 15:8, NIV
- Proverbs 18:21a, NIV
- Proverbs 13:3, NIV
- Philippians 4:13, NIV paraphrased
- Psalm 119:105, ESV, paraphrased
