God spoke the world into existence. Jesus is called “the Word.” The Bible is full of words that God breathed into the lives of his people. So why does that Bible warn us so strongly about how we use our words? Because they are powerful — both positively and negatively. They can ruin lives or build them up.
I worry about people who make their living talking incessantly, who have to fill the airwaves with the sound of their own voices, whether they have anything to say or not, until the next talker comes on. Jesus said we would be accountable for idle words (Matthew 12:36). James called the tongue a restless evil full of poison (James 3:8). A proverb tells us plainly: Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut (Proverbs 10:19 NLT). In other words, words matter.
One of the greatest gifts you can give the world is the power of your words. Use them wisely. Build up rather than tearing down. Speak life instead of destruction. Express truth and love. Dispense with mindless chatter; let your words carry weight. Your mouth is an influential force. Use it well, and the people around you will thrive.
