THE POWER OF MY WORDS:

The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).

Listen my words, the things I say they have the power to bless or

destroy, as a matter of fact James 3:10 says out of the same mouth

comes both blessing and cursing.

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these

things ought not to be so.

~ James 3:10

1. Words that build

My words have the ability to build people up or tear them down.   Listen to what Proverbs 16:24 says.  How often are we using our words to build people up, or to encourage one another.   Even in correction I can chose to make my words to build, lift and direct others. 

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones ~Proverbs 16:24.

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up

~Proverbs 12:25.

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment  ~Proverbs 10: 20, 21.

2.  Words that teardown:

My words can have the opposite effect, I can chose to damage, maim and hurt those I speak with.

One of the biggest problems we have as humans is communication. We don’t do it well. When emotions enter the situation all bets are off. But one of the most reckless things we do in our communication is to speak negatively or to curse others.

Listen to proverbs:

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing ~Proverbs 12:18.

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit ~Proverbs 15:4.

Listen to proverbs 11:9

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor

~Proverbs 11:9.6

And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin

your whole life. It can turn the en>re course of your life into a blazing

flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 8 but no one can

tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.

~James 3:6, 8

How do we do it, and what benefits will we reap?

Three rules for better living:

1.             Listen Better (Quick to Listen)

Three benefits of listening better:

1. a.       I would assume less.
2. b.      I would have >me to evaluate what has been said
3. c.       I would avoid saying the wrong thing based on my assumptions.

2.            Speak Less (Slow to Speak)

Three benefits to speaking less.      

1. a.       I chose my words more carefully
2. b.      I would be wiser. (Proverbs 17:27)
3. a.       c. I would be taken more seriously   (What I do say will be held with higher regard.)

3.            Cool Tempered (Slow to Anger)

Three benefits of being cool tempered.

1. a.       I will be less stressed.
2. b.      I will be trusted more
3. c.       I can overcome more difficult situation