The Power of Words

"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God." (James 3:1-12)

How powerful is the nature of the words we speak. The writer of Proverbs said that it is so powerful that life and death are both in the power of the tongue. James says that the one who can control their speech is able to master every other aspect of life as well.

Consider that when you speak to someone, you have the opportunity to bring a blessing in their life for a day, and you have the ability to bring disaster. Think of the harm done by parents in careless words to their children. Think of the blessing of someone who has encouraged you along the way.

Today consider the encouragement of the scripture to be quick to hear and slow to speak. And then when you speak, consider the privilege of encouragement to another person and the blessing of praise to God. My mom used to say, "If you cannot say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
That is probably good advice.