How Are Our Words?

Our words determine a lot. Solomon said, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21), which is why the Apostle Paul said, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

Our words can be like choice silver, and a tree and well of life (Proverbs 10:20; 15:4; 10:10), or they can be a fire that burns and destroys everything in its path.

“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5b-6)

Jesus tells us that our heart is the ultimate source for all our words, Luke 6:45, and in the end our words will be both our judge and jury.

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34b-37)

We need to be careful, therefore, as to what we say. To accomplish this we need to give control of our hearts and mouths over to the Lord.

Therefore we need to guard the words we speak.

“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3)

King David said,

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)