We have all heard the famous saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me.” Words may not have the power to break your bones physically but words do have the power to break you down mentally. We all remember the words that were said to us that left an impact on our lives both positively and negatively. The words that we use have the power to build up a relationship or destroy it. Our entire human history has been defined by words that people have said to each other. War and peace were all decided just by the words that came out of people’s mouths.

Matthew 15: 18 says “but what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” The words that come out of our mouths reveal our character and what is inside our hearts. If we are still saying things that regularly put others down then we have not grown as Christians. If we are still lying and spreading gossip and slander with our mouths then we have not grown as Christians. If we are still having a tough time controlling what comes out of our mouths then we are living in sin and not according to the will of God.

Jesus said, “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him `unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean.” We can use our words to say and do evil and sin against God or we can use our words in a way that glorifies him. David said in Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Like David, we also need to ask God for guidance so that the words we use in our daily life is acceptable to him.

Words have the power to condemn and also to give life. Matthew 15:36-37says “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.” What we say matters for all of eternity such is the power of words. Let us pray that God will give us the wisdom to choose our words wisely. Let us use our words to uplift others and to be a source of life. Who knows? maybe someone will accept Jesus Christ because God gave us the wisdom to say the right words at the right time.