Your Words Create The World You Live In
Watch Your Words
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.Proverbs 21:23 NLTTweet
Words are the currency of life. They can make investments, they can make withdrawals. They can make you a success or take everything you have. They can be used for good or bad, even life and death according to this scripture. Who audits your words? What do you say and what are the effects of your statements? Do you intentionally use words, designing and cultivating your talk or does your mouth create a world that you find yourself in the middle of? The way we talk affects our life. It will affect your business, the people you work with and even your own mood.
Words Frame the World
Words have creative power. God used His word to create:
Through faith we understand that the world was made by the Word of God. Things we see were made from what could not be seen. Hebrews 11:3 NLV
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3
That’s a big concept! God’s words framed the world that we live in. It shows us how creative and powerful words can be. To a great extent the world that you live and experience is a result of the words that you speak out over your life.
“Frame” is an interesting choice of words, two ways that this word is used in language that can help give us a picture of the power of words. Firstly, in my industry framing is what we refer to when we start to construct the structure that will hold everything together. Secondly a frame is what we use to present a picture – We contain what we see in a frame. What if your picture of life is contained by how you frame it?
In light of this thought, do you need to change the way you speak about your marriage, your co-workers or clients?
Application Exercise
As an application I want to encourage you to take 5 mins and saturate your thoughts with what the book of proverbs has to say about how we use our words. Wisdom like this can help us to realign our speech to God’s way:
Proverbs 10:19 NLTToo much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.Proverbs 10:31 NLT
The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off
Proverbs 12:14 NLTWise words bring many benefitsProverbs 12:18 NIV The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.Proverbs 13:3 NASBThe one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruinProverbs 15:1 NASBA gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.Proverbs 15:2 ESV
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Proverbs 15:4 ESVA gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.Proverbs 15:28 NLTThe heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.Proverbs 16:24 NIVGracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bonesProverbs 17:27 NASBHe who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.Proverbs 18:21 NIVWatch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.Proverbs 25:11 NASBLike apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Proverbs 25:25 NIVLike cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.Proverbs 29:20 NASBDo you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.Proverbs 31:26 NLTWhen she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.