Preachers Beware – Words Have Power to Build up AND Destroy

Preachers Beware – Words Have Power to Build up AND Destroy

By Nelson Searcy

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

King Solomon (Prov. 18:21 NKJV)

How often do you think about the words you use every day?

It’s easy to forget the inherent power of our words. We gloss over their significance because they are commonplace to us. We take them for granted the way fish take water for granted. We are used to talk; it just is. We are full of, surrounded by, and constantly inundated with words, words, words. Stepping back and seeing the weight and impact of our ingrained linguistic choices takes intentionality.

But when we are able to do just that, we will begin to see that each of our little, carelessly thrown around words actually carries the power of life and death. Until we start realizing that our word choices carry enormous consequences, we will continue to underestimate how they work for us or against us.

What you say today will—not can, but will—do one of two things: either lead you down a path toward a more purposeful, abundant life or move you toward destruction. Not physical destruction necessarily—though words can definitely be a catalyst for health issues—but the destruction of relationships, careers, momentum, joy, peace, hope, and contentment.

Words Are a Gift from God

The ability to use words at all is a gift that has been given to us by our Creator. As such, we have a responsibility to use our words well. God was the first one to harness the creative force of words—and he has entrusted us with the same ability to use words to create the world around us. The only acceptable response to the gift we’ve been given is to show respect to the Giver by using it well.

The Quality of Your Life is Determined by the Quality of Your Words

The way you choose to communicate will ultimately affect every area of your life. Words aren’t neutral. Every word that goes out has a consequence attached to it. How you speak to your friends, family members, and coworkers will determine the quality of those relationships. The same is true in your spiritual life. How well you communicate with God through prayer will determine the quality of your connection with him. Your internal dialogue with yourself will determine the quality of your actions and interactions each day. When you consider all these things together, it naturally follows that the quality of your very life is determined by the words you speak.

What would it look like if you committed to choosing a tongue-pierced lifestyle? What if you began focusing on only using words that lead to life and build others up? The results would be nothing short of revolutionary.

You can be the catalyst. I invite you—I challenge you, even—to commit to transforming your life by changing the words you speak. Are you ready?

Nelson Searcy wants to help commit to a tongue-pierced lifestyle by getting a copy of his brand new book, Tongue Pierced, for JUST $1.00! This is a practical guide for understanding the important role the tongue plays in everyday life and in our relationship with God. Nelson is the founding pastor of The Journey Church with locations across New York City, San Francisco and Boca Raton, Florida. He has personally trained more than 50,000 church leaders as founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network. Get your copy of Tongue Pierced now for just $1.00 – FREE shipping - at www.RenegadePastors.com/DollarTongue.