Hello Dear Listeners, welcome to overcoming temptations. My name is Oyisi. Today our topic is titled: The power of words. Our bible reading is taken from Proverbs 18:21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. There is this anonymous poem that says words never die, it goes like this: A word can never be recalled, It remains forever said, As long as there is memory, No word is ever dead. Now careless words once spoken, Can bring grief to heart, And often time in memory, These words can never depart. To make the world a sadder, or a happier place each day, Is within the power of each of us, By just the things we say. Since words live forever, It’s up to you and me, To see that what we say each day, Makes the world a better place to be.
So since words never die we need to be careful in whatever we say.
Let me share a secret about words. Words are spiritual, in Genesis 1 we read that God created the world by the power of words. God said let there be light and light appeared. So words have the power to create something out of nothing. I will share two stories of 2 different young women diagnosed with breast cancer. So one after being diagnosed, kept on with her studies and pursued her career, she kept saying she will not die, she held on in faith, even when people thought she was just deceiving herself, but she always confessed positively. And you know what, she responded to the medical treatment and survived the cancer. God honored the power of her words and her determination. Then there was this other young lady I visited who also was diagnosed with cancer and the she told me so she was going to die. I had to encourage her and told her not to confess negatively. Anyway within about 3 years, she passed on. Someone may say that does this mean we should not be realistic? No the point is as your trust God always speak positively. The person who says the cup is half full and the one who says it is half empty are both realistic, but one who says it is half full speaks positively, is optimistic and has a better chance to progress. Sometimes parent abuse or curse their children by using wrong words on them, be careful otherwise those words will follow the children, or a wife or husband using wrong words on each other, those words have great impact. See again the power of words. Marriage is a vow or exchange of words between two people to live as husband and life. So you marry someone by the words you say in the presence of witnesses. Your name is a word given to you usually by your parents or guardians. Yet that is the name you will be identified with all your life. Your words are also your identity, you can identify people by the sound of their voice and what they say. That is why when you speak to someone on the phone or listen to the radio, you don’t see the person but can identify the person by their words. Also your words should come from a sincere heart, saying things to flatter people does not please God.
In John 1:1 it says In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jesus was referred to as the Word. It means he is the revelation of God, everything God has said is in Him. Hebrews 4:12 says For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. God’s word can transform your life, so read it and confess it. They are very powerful, sharper than any sword and have the ability to penetrate.
So as you interact with others, say things that will lift their spirits and edify them. Don’t be negative or discourage others, Watch your words for the power of life and death are in them. Have a blessed day.