As a young believer, shortly after my conversion, I had two brothers in the church whom I often sat with during discussions. One topic they frequently joked about was people marrying someone older than themselves. They found humour in this because they knew a man who had married a woman older than him. They would joke and get deeply engrossed in conversations about it. Remarkably, when both of them eventually got married, each ended up marrying a woman older than themselves. I also remember an incident with my sister before we knew Christ. We were walking home from school in the rain when a motorbike passed by. She casually said, “That bike man will fall.” To my surprise, it happened immediately. I couldn’t hold back and call her a witch, as I didn’t know Christ back then and could only interpret her words as something supernatural. Now, having come to understand the Scriptures, I realize that the words we speak, whether as believers or non-believers, carry the power to bring life or death, blessing or curse, encouragement or discouragement. Our words can either build others up or tear them down, affecting not only ourselves but also those around us. No wonder Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Throughout Scripture, we see that both miraculous blessings and downfalls often come as a direct result of spoken words. From creation itself, where God spoke the world into existence ("And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" – Genesis 1:3), to the miracles performed by Jesus, words carry power. For instance, Jesus spoke to heal the centurion’s servant from a distance, saying, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would" – Matthew 8:13, and the servant was healed instantly. Similarly, in the story of Lazarus, Jesus called out, "Lazarus, come out!" – John 11:43, and Lazarus rose from the dead. However, spoken words could also bring judgment. In Numbers 14:28-29, when the Israelites doubted God, He declared, "As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say," resulting in a generation perishing in the wilderness. Likewise, Peter’s denial of Christ, marked by the words, “I don’t know the man!” – Matthew 26:74, brought him temporary shame and sorrow. These examples illustrate that spoken words, whether of faith, doubt, or denial, play a pivotal role in the manifestation of God's power, either bringing forth miracles or leading to downfall.
The word we speak reflects and shape our hearts and the words we speak are reflections of what resides in our hearts. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34-35 “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” The words we speak can influence our attitudes and actions, either reinforcing positive beliefs and habits or fostering negativity and harm.
When you wake up in the morning, start by speaking positive words over yourself. As you go to bed, speak blessings into your life. When you’re uncertain about success, declare that things will be fruitful. If your business isn’t thriving, speak words that will bring growth and prosperity. If a course feels difficult and others before you have struggled, remind yourself that you are not a failure. When you feel like the sun won’t shine again, declare that brighter days are coming. If there’s tension in your family, affirm that peace and harmony will prevail. When you’re feeling unwell, declare strength and health over yourself. If there is scarcity in your household, speak words of abundance and provision. Let your words shape your reality, believing that through faith and positive declaration, all things are possible. Ephesians 4:29 emphasizes the importance of intentional and uplifting speech: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Here, Paul instructs believers to avoid harmful speech and instead focus on words that benefit others, tailored to their needs. This type of speech is meant to encourage, support, and edify.
Here are three ways we can speak the word to bless our lives, along with supporting Bible verses:
- Speak Words of Faith Over Your Life
Declaring words of faith aligns our minds and hearts with God’s promises, strengthening our belief and inviting God’s blessings into our lives. In Mark 11:23, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Speaking faith-filled words, even in challenging situations, can lead to breakthroughs and the manifestation of God’s promises.
- Speak Words of Gratitude and Praise
Expressing gratitude through spoken words can change our perspective, attract blessings, and deepen our relationship with God. Psalm 34:1 encourages this practice, saying, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” By consistently speaking words of praise and thanksgiving, we foster a joyful and thankful heart, inviting God's favour into our lives.
- Declare God’s Promises Over Your Life
Speaking and claiming God’s promises found in Scripture helps us to remember His faithfulness and trust in His provision. Jeremiah 29:11 is a powerful promise to declare, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” By speaking God’s promises over our lives, we align ourselves with His will, drawing strength and encouragement from His word and building hope for the future.
Finally, our words carry immense power to shape outcomes and influence lives. They reflect what’s within us, revealing our true intentions and beliefs. By speaking with faith, gratitude, and positivity, we align ourselves with blessings and open doors to growth and transformation.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, help me to speak words that bring life, blessing, and encouragement. Guard my tongue, and let my words align with Your will, uplifting others and glorifying You. Amen
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