As we’ve studied the topic of faith for the last few weeks, Holy Spirit has awakened us to the powerful role our words play in our walk of faith.
Today, let’s begin our teaching by looking at some foundational scriptures that reveal the importance of the words we speak:
“Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation.” (Matthew 12:37, The Message)
“Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and to hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal.” (Proverbs 12:18, TPT)
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21)
“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live…” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
Think of that… the words we speak can produce hurt or healing… blessings or curses… life or death …salvation or condemnation! ) What an awesome power! What an awesome responsibility!
Therefore, we are admonished to choose our words carefully, especially avoiding those which are toxic to ourselves and others.
“Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
(Ephesians 4:29, Amplified Bible)
Grandma’s remedy for nasty words wasn’t really spiritual; a bar of Ivory Soap, applied liberally to the offending tongue.
Hopefully we’re not spewing a toxic sludge of “foul, profane, worthless, or vulgar” words from our mouths, and needing the “Ivory treatment”. If we are, we need to check our “heart’s plumbing” to make sure we are truly connected to Holy Spirit, then invite the perfectly pure and cleansing flow of His presence to flush out profane words from our conversation.
Pure speech naturally flows from a heart that has been changed and cleansed by Holy Spirit’s amazing love and grace.
Some further thoughts on this from other translations of Ephesians 4:29:
“Don’t be destructive in your communication
but it let it be in harmony with who you are.”
(Ben Campbell Johnson)
“Let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.”
(The Passion Translation)
I believe the truth of Ephesians 4:29-30 is most simply and powerfully stated in The Message Translation in this way:
²⁹ “Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. ³⁰ Don’t grieve God. Don’t break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.”
Obviously, cursing, coarse language, and critical, cynical, cutting remarks should be off the menu of our mouths.
But God’s Word also addresses a different type of shortcoming… not just the vulgar use of our words, but the failure to use our words in a dynamic, positive way to bless others.
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)
The word translated as”idle” in the verse above is the Greek word “argos” which means “non-working; inactive; powerless; and without energy.”
It is the same Greek word used by Jesus in His parable about the landowner who was looking for men to work in his fields.
“And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ (Matthew 20:6)
The stinging rebuke was two-fold: first, for the potential wages that were lost by these unemployed by-standers, and secondly for
the missed opportunity to help bring in a beneficial, bountiful harvest.
Our words, like these men, can be, and often are, lazy and listless, thoughtless tidbits of tripe, exaggerations, embellishments, and equivocations, bundles of bunkum and balderdash.
One category of “idle words” is seen in the patterns of speech we have absorbed from our culture or that we have developed over a lifetime; using thoughtless, undisciplined words to express ourselves.
For example, we say, “I’m just dying to see my grandchildren.” We really don’t mean that we’re dying, but we say it anyway in order to emphasize and exaggerate the importance of our relationship with our loved ones.
It takes a little more effort to say what we mean, and to mean what we say: “I miss my grand-children so much. It’s been two years since I’ve seen them. Hopefully, I can visit them next month.”
There are so many other examples of this category of idle words. A few:
“I’ll be there in a second.”
“She never stops talking.”
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”
“I have a million things to do today.”
“I’m in so much trouble, my Dad is going to kill me.”
Etc., etc.
You might say “What’s the harm? These are just everyday figures of speech.” Here’s the reality of this type of idle words:
Every time we say things that we don’t really mean, speaking words that we know aren’t true, we numb and desensitize our own hearts. Unconsciously, each idle word we speak makes it just a little bit harder for us to believe that what we say will actually come to pass.
So when we face a mountain that can only be moved by faith-filled words, we find our words to be confetti-filled, rather than confidence-filled, and the mountain doesn’t move. (Mark 11:23-24)
Another category of “idle words” are words that we speak that directly contradict and neutralize the Word of God. Remember the definition of the Greek word for “idle” means “non-working; inactive; powerless; and without energy.”
Every time that we confess lack, fear, disease, weakness, and failure, we magnify our adversary above the Father, and we destroy our own confidence in His Word.
For example, we read the scripture or hear a sermon emphasizing the truth that “by His stripes, we are healed” but immediately contradict and neutralize the power inherent in that Word by our powerless confession that we are still sick.
Just compare the effect of our idle power- draining words with God’s Word, which is described as being: “living, active, and full of power…operative, energizing, and effective.“
(Hebrews 4:12, The Amplified Bible)
God will infuse the awesome, healing, saving, life-giving power of His Word into our lives IF we will fill our HEARTS and MOUTHS with it. His living Word will not only change us, but also impact the lives of those around us. It’s time to exchange our idle, non-productive words for His Word!
We are encouraged to “lift up our eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest”! (John 4:35)
As those who are called to be laborers in His fields, we must learn to cast aside idle attitudes and idle words! It’s time to use our words productively and powerfully. It’s harvest time for God’s kingdom!
There’s much work to be done…
Addictions to be broken
Bodies to be healed
Prodigals to be restored
Destinies to be fulfilled
Blind eyes to be opened
Lost to be found
Revival, miracles, signs and wonders to abound.
The bottom line is this: our words are powerfully life-changing. They can alter the status-quo, bringing breakthroughs, miracles, signs and wonders to our world.
Let’s make sure that when we open our mouth we have something good to say, something positive and which brings hope, grace, healing and peace to the hearers.
Father, may our words be filled with your promises, and your praise, productively prompted by your Spirit. Amen!
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My wife, Grace, and I are very proud to be in partnership with Student Life Organization, Inc. We believe in the great work they are doing in Cebu City, and throughout the central part of the Philippines.
SLOI provides educational opportunities to
many physically disabled and financially disadvantaged children, helping them reach their God-given potential.
Your generous giving will help Founder Anne Ruiz, and her team as they faithfully declare and demonstrate God’s love to these children and their families.
“I mention this not because I’m requesting a gift, but so that the fruit of your generosity may bring you an abundant reward.”
(Philippians 4:17, TPT)
Would you please give today? If so, please use this link: paypal.me/anaferuiz
Thank you! We pray that you will experience God’s richest blessings as you give freely and cheerfully in Jesus’ name!
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