by Barbara Latta
We hear a lot about the power of our words. Because some
uses of this principle have been misused, we may turn a deaf ear to listening
to lessons regarding the importance of what we say.
But words do affect our minds and bodies. The Bible is
filled with admonitions for us to watch what we say.
I have a small book that is a collection of scriptural
confessions, titled God’s Creative Power, written by Charles Capps.
This little printed treasure chest has helped draw me out of
doubt, discouragement, and bad attitudes on numerous occasions as I refer to
these pages.
And as God sometimes does, we can read passages we have seen multiple times and then BOOM—we get a new revelation out of His Word.
These Scriptures came alive to me more than they ever had as I pondered their deeper meaning.
I hope you will pray over these and take to heart what the
Lord is saying to us. His Word is a mighty sword to cut away depression,
anxiety, worry, and yes, health to our bodies. I looked these up in the King
James Version to obtain the true meanings of the translations in Hebrew and Greek.
A man’s belly shall be
satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he
be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it
shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs
18:20-21 KJV)
Jesus used this same term when he said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out
of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)
The Hebrew word beten, translated as belly, is also used
as body, born, or womb in other Scriptures. And in John 7:38 the Greek word koilia
is translated as belly to mean the inner most part of a man, or the womb where
the fetus is conceived.
This shows us our words can satisfy any lack in our minds or
bodies or can cause death when used the wrong way.
Because we are a three-part being, God doesn’t just heal us
in one place. He heals our spirit from sin, our souls with peace, and our
bodies with health.
The tongue is a fire, a world
of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole
body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (James 3:6)
Words can defile the body.
Words can set on fire the course of nature. The
natural production of our bodies can be distorted by what we say against
ourselves.
The heart of the wise
teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. (Proverbs 16:23)
When we have a wise heart, mouths learn what to say and what
not to say.
These are only a few Scriptures that teach us how words can
affect our minds and bodies. When we learn to use the mighty Sword of the
Spirit to cut away dead thoughts and negative words, we will prosper in health
and peace.
As we grow in the knowledge of our identity in Christ, we
will also gain the wisdom we need to produce godly speech that blesses us in
every part of our being. And this will also flow out of us to enhance the lives
of those around us.
What are your favorite verses to help you use words in a
positive way? Share your thoughts.
How do our words affect our minds and bodies? (click to tweet)
Another great post Ms. Barbara. So often in my life, I've failed to heed God's admonition and I've said things I may have been thinking, but should have never said. It took time, but God showed me that my opinion matters very little; His opinion is what counts, and when we have Him in our hearts, our thoughts, words, and actions demonstrate it. Outstanding ma'am.
ReplyDeleteI have failed to heed this admonition also, J.D. I think that is why the Scriptures about the power of our words stand out to me so vividly. It is a constant reminder for me to watch my tongue. God's opinion is the only one that matters. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteAmen. Our words have power. This is a great message that everyone needs to read. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteI'm thankful our Father is the Master Healer and can heal all our wounds, spiritual, physical, and emotional. You've provided an important message for us to think before we speak--to recognize that the tongue is indeed a weapon when we don't speak through the filter of our Lord's words and teachings. Thank you for this inspiring reminder--so timely in this age when so much harsh rhetoric is bombarding us from every direction.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, thank you for pointing out that the tongue is a weapon when we don't speak through the filter of our Lord's words and teachings. That is so true. Thank you for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteOur words have so much power over others and ourselves -- for good and bad. Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us that there's a time to speak and a time to keep silent. My challenge is realizing when it's best for everyone involved for me to stay silent.
ReplyDeleteEcclesiastes 3:7 is a great verse to help us know we don't always have to give voice to thoughts. There is a time to remain silent. Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Blessings!
DeleteJesus helped me to see how words such as calling people “empty headed” or a “fool” is much more dangerous than what the world believes. If we shouldn’t say these things to others then we should closely monitor our self talk too. Matthew 5: 22
ReplyDeleteThat is a great point. We should be careful how we express opinions of others. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBeing a word girl, I so appreciate this post. Thank you for the mini-word study your provide. It adds weightier meaning to the scriptures.
ReplyDeleteA fave of mine is Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body (Prov 16:24).
Thanks for this post, Barbara!
Above by Candyce
DeleteCandyce. thanks for sharing Proverbs 16:24 with us. This is a great go-to Scripture for remembering the effects of our words. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, thank you for scriptural references that remind us how powerful words are. I want to remember to pause before I speak so that all my words honor God.
ReplyDeleteRemembering to pause before I speak is also a prayer of mine. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteOften my chronic case of foot in mouth disease reminds me the hard way of these principles. Thanks, Barbara, for a reminder of the better way. God bless.
ReplyDeleteNancy E. Head
DeleteNancy, it is hard lesson to learn once words leave our mouths that we wish we could take back. I have had that same disease before also. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, this is such a timely post, given the state of our world. Frankly, for me, it's timely every day. I tend to think about these verses with regard to what is said to other people, but we should also moderate words we speak to ourselves. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAnnie, you are right that we should also speak positive words over ourselves. God doesn't speak about us negatively and He doesn't want us to do so either. This is a valuable lesson to learn. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, your Scripture references and explanations reminded me of a dear truth. God isn't just trying to say "no" to be difficult. What comes out of our mouth can hurt not only others, but also ourselves. God wants the best for us...to drink from His well, to feast at His table, to be blessed and to be a blessings. Yielding to the promptings of God in the selection of our words will lead to blessings. Yielding to our self-centered nature will lead to harm, regret, and lost opportunities.
ReplyDeleteBarb, thanks for pointing out this truth. Yielding to our self-centered nature will lead to harm, regret, and lost opportunities. That is so true abd why we should be careful to only speak according to God's standards. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteI don’t have one particular scripture but for healing I keep reading multiple healing stories and remembering He healed everyone that came to Him.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jen, Jesus did heal everyone who came to Him and this shows us His will is for health and healing. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, I have a Bible that puts Proverbs together in topics. Reading all the ones on the tongue can level you! Our words hold the power of life and death.
ReplyDeleteHaving those scriptures about words all together would pack a powerful punch. This shows us how important guarding our tongue is to God. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
Deletegreat post. Our words are powerful, but God's Word is the most powerful.
ReplyDeleteYes, God's Word is the most powerful. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings!
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