I want to talk about the incredible power of your words. And there is no more relevant passage than the two verses below.
“Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation” (Matthew 12:36-37 The Message).
I think you would agree these are pretty strong verses. Jesus warns us that words are powerful. We need to take them seriously. They truly matter.
That’s why King David said these words in Psalm 141, verse 3: “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
It was a good prayer for David, and it’s a good prayer for you and me. Because your heart and your lips are connected. Your true inside self is expressed through your words.
In the New King James translation of Matthew 12:36 (a more literal translation than The Message, as quoted above), Jesus says,
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
Yes, Jesus even talks about giving account of our idle, empty, nonproductive words in the day of judgment!
Now…I want to talk about worship. That may seem like an odd connection with the power of your words, but it really is the most important part.
You and I need to fill our words with thanksgiving, with worship, with faith. Words are containers. They can contain hate and bitterness and unbelief, or they can contain faith, love, and hope.
You see, when we worship God, at least three things take place:
- We honor Him and give Him credit for the things He does. Psalm 66:2 says, “Sing out the honor of His name. Make His praise glorious.” Your worship brings honor to God.
- It demonstrates and releases faith. Philippians 4:6 tells us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” As you thank and worship God, you release faith.
- It silences the devil. In Matthew 21, as Jesus is praised by the children and derided by the chief priests, He quotes part of Psalm 8:2, which says, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger.”
So consider the power of your words when you worship God. You honor Him, release faith, and silence the devil. Your words of worship are filled with power!
