Have you ever said something and immediately wished you could retract your words as quickly as they came out? I know I have. And sometimes I walk away wondering why did I say that and other times I try my best to address it head on and say I am so sorry. That came out all wrong. But then it's almost too late. No wonder Proverbs says "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit, you choose." from the message translation of the Bible, Proverbs 18:21

James 3 talks a lot about the tongue. Verse 5 says that the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. It is compared to a fire, a world of iniquity! James has a whole bunch more to say about the tongue and I encourage you to read it! But here's a warning, it's harsh! Proverbs also says that a word spoken at the right time is like apples of gold in settings of silver. It looks nice, right? That's because it serves a worthy purpose! A word that is spoken when a person needs one, is golden. It builds them up. It gives them courage to keep pressing on. The same is true for a word that is spoken at the wrong time. Or let's just say the wrong words. You know the kind- the ones that sting the heart like it was intended to. Yuck! May those words be fewer and fewer in our repertoire! 

A prayer I often pray and have taught my kids to pray anytime we are about to go somewhere, such as church, a friend's house, the grocery store, you name it, is this, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."  Oftentimes adding please Lord, put a guard over my mouth and don't let me say anything I shouldn't. I'm pretty sure that gives the Holy Spirit the permission to speak through me and use my mouth for His glory and His purposes that day. I can't say that I remember to pray this on a daily basis. I honestly wish I did! I know my husband and kids would definitely appreciate it! 

Honestly, the days I do say this little Scripture prayer out of Psalms 19:14 are the days I've seen things. - I've witnessed people say, "Wow, thank you. That is just what I needed today!" or "Your prayer really blessed me," or "God must have shown you that. Because I didn't tell anyone!" or "I feel like I know what I need to do now." And to each one of these people I say, "To God be the glory!" It's not me operating in my strength or wisdom, but God's! He says to ask, seek and knock and He will answer. So should we be surprised when He does?? Also, I remind myself that He has given me the mind of Christ and it's in my weakness that I am made strong- that nothing is impossible with God! So! Having these promises hidden in my heart and believing them, I speak knowing He is leading and guiding my words. The words I've spoken that have caused more pain than good. I ask for forgiveness from the Lord and sometimes that leads me to go to the individual and apologize. That is often a very humbling process, but 10 out of 10 times it brings me closer to the Lord and usually closer to the person I'm asking for forgiveness.

Some people are more sensitive to words than others. I think it's a makeup of their personhood as well as what happened to them from their family, their peers, or even a stranger growing up and it left a mark on them. This is all the more reason we should be sensitive to how we speak.

Another verse that comes to mind is, "In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 NKJV  and Ecclesiastes 5:2, "You are God in heaven and I am here on Earth, so I'll let my words be few." "Too many words make you a fool." And, "Don't let your mouth make you sin." 

There are so many more verses in the Bible that cover this topic. If I were to continue to put them down and discuss them, I would think we would have 500 pages in a book or more! So It's pretty apparent God cares about what we say and how much we are saying. 

After all it was God who SPOKE the world into existence. And because we are made in His image and the Bible says we can do all that Jesus did and even more, that says to me, our words are hugely important - with them we can create, and build wonderful things into the future. 

So how will you use your words today to build up, to strengthen, to sow seeds of life? And not only that, but you can rebuke the enemy who wants you to stay silent so that he can steal from you and from others! So don't let him win either! Like many parents reminding their kids when they don't know what to say because they are in a tizzy, "use your words!" Tell the enemy, "The Lord rebuke you!" 

I encourage you to get out there and use your words to build, to create, to heal, to make whole, and to love. You are a Kingdom builder! Use your words, and use them wisely, for God is working through you!!