We are always speaking life or death
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. ~Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)
Often, we say things without realizing we are speaking over our future or over the future of our loved ones. Comments like “you are so dumb,” or “I am such an idiot” have impact and power. Phrases like “I am broke” or “I never have enough money” should be re-thought or immediately rebuked. When you speak life, you receive life, when you speak death, you receive death. Does this mean that you can will things into being just by changing your words? Some may say that is up for debate, however, the Bible is clear about our words bringing life and or death, so why don’t we take it seriously in every conversation? Why do we give the scriptures about adultery and drunkenness being sinful habits more weight than the scriptures about the words that come out of our mouths?
According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, all scripture is inspired by God to teach us and make us realize what is wrong in our lives. Why do we overlook the scriptures about our words as if those scriptures carry less weight than the scriptures regarding commands? Why do we encourage others more readily than we encourage ourselves? Think about who spoke words to you that may not have broken your bones but infected your spirit. They may have never laid a hand on you, but those words caused you to question who you were or who you were becoming. Our own words have the same power. Choose today to be more intentional about the words you speak to yourself. Choose today to instantly rebuke and refute the negative talk that you hear yourself say. Choose today to speak life and not death for yourself and for everyone around you, for you are listening, and so is God.
Turn your negative words into positive power:
Five questions to consider when you speak:
Would you want someone speaking those words to your loved ones?
Are the words be spoken your beliefs or someone else’s?
Do those words support the goals and aspirations you have for your life?
Are those words buildable or destructive?
Can those words ignite a rippling positive outcome?
Did you hear the words you said?
They came from your heart and went right to your head
The words you speak are shaping and shifting who you are
So, are you speaking death and defeat; or life that continues raising the bar?
Practical Note: Sometimes you must vent out the anger, frustration, or irritation into nothingness in order to release the negativity. Immediately after venting, practice looking for the good, the lesson, and speaking life into what at first seemed to be a lifeless situation. There is a lesson in everything.