Man's words are means of expressing his heart - mentality, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and spirituality. The type of tongue and words that proceed from each individual depends on who the person is and the powers in operation in such an individual's life (Matt. 12:35-37; Luke 6:43-45). This implies that a godly and righteous individual's tongue brings forth positive words which are righteous, good, sure, right, true, pure, lovely, kind, light, wise, creative, and holy words such as pronouncing blessings, words of encouragement and gratitude, prayers, praises, thanksgiving, blessings, encouragements, greetings, exchange of pleasantries (Proverbs 20:10; 12;8; 15:4; 25:15). Ungodly and wicked individual's tongue brings forth negative words which are foul, evil, profane, bad, destructive, toxic, evil, terrible, untrue, and wicked words such as curses, insults, abuses, condemnation, threats, blackmail, deceit, flattery, destructive criticism, mockery, lies, blasphemy, and foolish jesting. Each person speaks great volumes of words each day. Some of our spoken words are directed to God, some at our fellow humans, some at our situations and environments, and some at our very selves.

STARTLING SCRIPTURAL REVELATIONS ABOUT THE TONGUE AND SPOKEN WORDS
The ability of man to make intelligible words and speeches is one of the greatest and most powerful gifts bestowed on mankind. Man with the help of the tongue can formulate distinct syllables and form intelligible words and also put the words together to form tangible sentences to express and communicate with God and fellow mankind.

Interestingly, the Scripture made some startling revelations about our tongue and spoken words that reveal that utmost care must be taken about the use of our tongues and our spoken words. The first revelation is that the words of a man are spirit and life in that it is from within man's heart created in the image and likeness of God whose word is spirit and life (Matt. 12:34, John 6:63). This implies that though our spoken words cannot be seen, nevertheless they exist and remain in existence even after the speaker is dead because spoken words may be forgotten but never die.

Another point to note is that God knows and understands all words we say no matter how it was said, where and when said and the dialect or tongue used. God hears everything we say (Psalm 139:4). Ironically, Satan who is out to ruin mankind at every chance he gets also hears all we say.

The Scripture also reveals that the words of a man's mouth are deep waters. Prov 18:4. This implies that every word a man speaks whether by whispering, shouting, blabbing, murmuring, stammering, singing, jesting or other ways is not just surface, mere, empty, or ordinary and meaningless words but something that is very deep down and full of things than one can ever think and imagine (Prov.18:8 ).
The tongue is also said to have the power of Life and death. "Life and death are in the power of the tongue" (Prov 18:21). This makes it the most powerful and the most dangerous organ which must not be misused, toyed with, or taken for granted. It has the power of life because it can impact lives positively. It creates, repairs, heals, blesses, causes increase, pacifies, edifies, comforts, encourages, builds, and brings salvation (Romans 10:10). Positive words minister health and life (Ps. 34:12-13; Prov 15:4; 12:14, 18b).

One can say categorically that man's words are the area of executing the spiritual dominion charges he was given. "God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish in the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Genesis 1:26). Man's dominion is in his words which is spirit. You shall decree a thing and it shall come to pass. He was to speak, order, proclaim, decree, bless, bind, loose, and command things in creation by his words. Always remember that since man is created in the image and likeness of God whose words are powerful and creative, and His means of operations, His spoken and unspoken words form and shape things in a man's life and environs. The Scripture reveals that all things created apart from man were created by the words of God and they are sustained and preserved by His words. This implies the word is the mechanism that spins the world into being and what sustains it (Jer.10;12; Romans 4:17; Heb.11:3).

The tongue has the power of death when what proceeds from it is wickedness and evil. This is because the tongue according to James 3:5-8, "is a fire" i.e consuming, burns, destroys. "A world of inquiry - full of sins". "It defileth the whole body i.e. pollutes, corrupts, make unholy." "Setteth on fire the course of nature i.e.affects and destroys everything in nature" "full of deadly poison- i.e. very deadly full of venom, toxin." (James 3:5-8 ). Negative words defile the whole body, destroys, influences the heart and attitude of the hearer negatively, snare the soul and kill the spirit (Prov. 12:13; 15:4).

Note that James 3:6 says "It setteth on fire the course of nature; it is set on fire of hell." This implies its fire has destructive and consuming effects on everything in nature because its power is like the fire of hell. The power of our spoken words is not only over the speaker but also over other hearers and the environment as well (John 6:63).

Also, note that the tongue is said to be "it is an unruly evil", i.e.uncontrollable harmful, bad and cruel. "No man can tame it and no man can undo that which has been spoken". This implies it is untameable by any man; it is an unruly part of the human body. God alone has the power over it. No wonder King David the great Psalmist prayed to God saying, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; Keep the doors of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

The Scripture also says, "thou art snared with the word of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of the mouth" (Prov. 6:2). The two cogent points of the effects of our spoken words as revealed here are thus: (a) our spoken words snares or traps, bonds, entangles us (b) we are caught or captured or held in captivity by our spoken words. Every negative word spoken brings negativity to our lives. Therefore, the Scripture encourages us to confess positively in Joel 3:10 saying "…let the weak say I am strong." Self-abuse, self-insult, self-curse, self-condemnations, and others all have negative effects on one. If the Scripture says faith comes by hearing likewise doubt, and other negativities too come by hearing, we are recipients of what we say. You believe and internalize what you repeatedly say. As I believe so I speak (2 Cor. 4:13). Indeed, "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life; but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction" (Prov.13:2-3).
Jesus Christ revealed further that one's words don't only work against one in the world, but also on the day of judgment as thus; "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words thou shall be justified and by your words thou shall be condemned" (Mat. 12: 37). This implies every one of our spoken words either good or bad, deliberately or jokingly said, counts. They are taken into account against each individual and are by what each individual shall be judged on the day of judgment. Every careless word spoken either as a joke, swearing, or curse has serious repercussions. God does not know a joke (Num. 14:28). Truly, "Whoso keepeth his mouth and tongue keepeth his soul from troubles" (Prov.21:23). "He that refrains his lips is wise" (Prov. 10:19).

THANKS-SPEAKING IS IT!
God in His love for humanity especially those who are His true followers through faith in His Son Jesus Christ has through the godly men of old given us charges in the Scripture to avoid the pitfall of the power of our spoken words and tongues such as; "What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile." (Psalm 34:12-13; 2 Pt.2:11).
"But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 1 Pt. 1:15.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers… let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." (Eph,4:29,31).

One sure way of having total control of one's tongue and words as being charged is being of grateful disposition and giving thanks to God at all times through the help of the Holy Spirit by obeying the charges on thanksgiving (1 Chronicles 16: 8, 34; Psalm 50: 14; 100:4; 118:1; 147:7; "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20).
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the father by him" — Colossians 3;15.
"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" - Philippians 4:6.

"Neither filthiness , nor foolish talking, nor jesting , which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks" (Ephesians 5:4).
Living in total obedience to all these charges has proven to be of immense benefit to believers not only in the area of conversations but in all other areas as already discussed so far.

Remember that as a believer, Jesus Christ has made us kings and Priests unto God. Rev. 1:6. As a king there is enormous power and authority in your Lips (Matt 18:18, Ecc. 8:4). As a priest you are to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruits of your lips giving thanks to his name with the fruits of your lips' (Heb. 13:15).
Therefore, be careful of what comes out of your mouth because your words can build your life or destroy it beyond your imagination. Repent and ask God for forgiveness of all wrong usage of words.

Speak faith and let your speech be gracious (Col. 4:6)

GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I.
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