Our words are creative tools and they are powerful. Every day we shape our world with the words we speak.
The entire world was formed by God’s words (Genesis 1:3) and he has given us the same power to create with our words.
Personally, I have struggled being a “yes” person always saying yes to every party invite, work engagement and ultimately over-committing myself. Maybe you can relate?
I’ve had to learn to say no and be okay saying no. Through reading the Bible I began to understand how important our words are and this has helped me to slowly change.
In Matthew 5:37 it says, “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” (NKJV)
James 5:12 says something similar, “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” (ESV)
The Bible places an importance on having your “yes” be “yes.” Many people treat their words carelessly saying things they do not mean. A person might say, “I’ll be there at 4” but then they don’t show up until 4:30 or “I can get that done for you” but they never do it.
When people do this, they are not understanding the value of their words. These might seem like frivolous examples but it’s important because God has given us our words to be able to speak over ourselves and our situations.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. – Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
Spiritually our words have so much power but we diminish their power when we use them carelessly.
Have you ever agreed to do something that later you really didn’t want to do? Maybe it was helping a friend instead of going to a concert or spending more time than you expected on a project you agreed to complete. Psalm 15:4 tells us that a righteous person will swear to their own hurt and not change.
What does this mean? It means that the godly thing to do is what you said you would do even if it costs you.
Everything I’m talking about here I’ve had to learn the hard way and I mean the hard way. I struggle being punctual and there have been more than several projects for people that I’ve dropped the ball on. It’s through these lessons though that I’ve understood truly how important my words are.
We want to be women of our word and the Word. This means that we should stick to our commitments and be careful to not agree to things we genuinely are not interested in doing. It also means we should not be careless with our words but instead use them to speak life and encouragement over ourselves and others.
In 2 Kings 4, the Shulamite woman used her words to change her situation. The woman’s son had just passed away. Immediately, she went to Elisha the prophet because this son was her promised son that he had prayed for her to have. As she approached Elisha he sent his servant to ask her how she was and her reply was, “It is well.”
The word she was saying for well is the Hebrew word shalowm which means completeness or peace. This woman certainly did not feel like things were well or at peace but she was allowing her words to declare the future she wanted.
And what she declared she saw, her son was raised from the dead. Whatever situation looks dead in your life speak to it and declare life.
“Again he said unto me, Prophesy (or speak by inspiration) upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.” – Ezekiel 37:4-5 (KJV)
Your words have power. Use them wisely.
If you want to see things change in your life start declaring what God is saying about you.
I’ve created a free download of declarations for you to speak over yourself. Your words over yourself should align with the truth.