The Power of Your Words and How to Make or Break Your Family

Proverbs 21:23 says that “Whose keeper his (her) mouth and his tongue keepeth his (her) soul from troubles.” I believe your words have power over your children, family, friends, physical bodies, and so much more. Let me explain…

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Our words have power…

We have all said things we don’t mean, and meant things we didn’t say. Oh man, the feeling that comes after is tough!

When you say things you don’t mean, a mixture of guilt, disappointment, shame, and eventually grief sets in. It ain’t pretty! When you mean things that you don’t say it’s almost worse. There’s always the lingering question of “what if”.

I got to wondering… why are there such strong emotional responses to things we have said or didn’t say? The answer is clear… there is spiritual power in what we allow our tongue to utter.

It started a long time ago…

• Right from the very beginning, God verbally blesses the animals and commands them according to his blessing.
• The very first thing God did after created man and woman was to speak a blessing over them.
• God verbally speaks a blessing to Abraham as he leaves him homeland and travels to a place prepared by God.
• In a critical time of the children of Israel entering into the promise land, those who spoke blessings survived and those who cursed did not.

I could go on and on…

The truth is simple… our words matter!

Our words have the power to control our whole body, physical and spiritual outcome, and even deeply influence those around us. the Bible puts it this way:

James 3:2-3–

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Here we can see that the word has the power to bridle the whole body. I think that deserves a bit of study and understanding on this topic. I’m excited to dive right in!

Our words speak a blessing or a curse!

I have spoken to people (mothers) who don’t feel as though the words they say necessarily affect their children’s physical and spiritual outcomes.

I pray daily… “Lord, guard my words and let the things I say to my children bless and edify…not tear down!”

The things that we, as mothers, speak to our children directly affect their…

• Behaviors…
• Self esteem…
• Moral bearings….
• Mental health…
• Physical health…
• Ability to problem solve…

If you’re like me…sometimes you don’t even realize you’re doing it. You may be speaking things over your children that are contrary to the blessings of the Lord.

Let me give you some examples for practical purposes:

Situation	Negative Response	How to Speak a Blessing
You’re at the park and you’re 4 year old begins to pitch a fit about not getting her way.	While speaking to other moms there (but where she can hear you), you say: “she doesn’t know how to behave in public. I can’t take her anywhere without her acting out.”	Pull her aside and kneel eye level to her. Tell her that she is a big girl and you would be very proud to see her smiling and playing nicely with the other children. Psalms 25:4- Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.
You’re two children are arguing again about something for the 100th time today!	While yelling across the room or around the corner of your shoulder say: “Why can’t y’all behave and get along? All you ever want to do is fight! I’m so sick of hearing it!”	When the arguing first breaks out, sit down with both of them and ask: Would you like for this situation to be resolved? What can YOU do right now to not waste any time today arguing? I am here to help you work through it if you need, but there will be no more useless arguing right now. Ephesians 4:32- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

As mother’s, were are all guilty of the negativity. I am by no means saying that every single word has to be full of wisdom and perfection… but there are ways to speak a blessing instead of a curse into every situation!

I have literally seen mothers “talk” their children into feeling sick, being scared, not liking certain food, or feeling insecure. I have seen children’s eyes light up with excitement at the prospect of a new idea or adventure, only to be shot down by their mother who doesn’t mean to….but makes them feel worthless.

It’s dangerous to go every day without speaking blessings into our children’s’ life. It’s dangerous to speak more “curses”… even without realizing it!

Throughout Biblical history, parents who followed God’s ways always took the time to speak a blessing over their children. A spoken blessing was a coveted treasure… it is for our little ones too!

Speak those Blessings, Momma!

Openly and verbally bless your babies. Do it every chance you get!

Proverbs 15:21-

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

• Do you want to see them behave better? — I bless you today with kindness towards others and ears to hear instruction.
• Do you want to see them do better in school? —I bless you with attentiveness and a clear mind to learn all things.
• Do you want to see them thrive in self esteem and confidence —I bless you with joy in being who you are and a desire to serve God with everything you’ve got.
• Do you want to see them eat healthier or stop being sick —I bless your body to operate the way God intended it to and for you to enjoy trying new foods.

Mommy, it really works! Our children will respond to the spoken word that we place over their minds and bodies. That’s exactly the way God intended it to be.

I love to sing this prayer over my kiddos-

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Don’t stop there… apply the power of your words to all areas of your life.

Words truly have the power to make or break us. The word mouth is used 423 times in the Bible…the word tongue 129 times. The Biblical principle of “speaking a blessing” is a great underlining theme in the word of God.

The Power of your Words Affects Your Body

It may seem a bit out there, but it’s true!

Proverbs 12:18-

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

As discussed earlier from James 3:2-3, the word is the only things that has the power to bridal the entire body. Yes, when you speak your body begins to listen.

This goes beyond “thinking happy thoughts” or “no negative self-talk.” Neuroscience studies that have proven that the power of the spoken word has the ability to physically alter your body on a cellular level. The spoken word does this by influencing the expression of genes that regulate your physical and emotional stress.

You won’t catch me saying things like “I’m getting sick” or “My body is getting too old to do that.”

Why?

Because as soon as I do…. my body starts obeying the command I just gave it.

The word of God says it this way:

Proverbs 18:21–

Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

The Power of Your Words Can Change Your Job or Relationship with Your Spouse

Well, of course! I have heard many testimonies of people who were at the “end of their rope” if you will…

When a person turns around the way they speak to- and about- their job, it’s amazing to see how God opens doors!

It feels totally opposite of the way we want to react…but instead of uttering a disappointment or negative issue… speak a blessing right then and there!

Don’t say: My boss is the stupidest person in the world. Say: I bless my boss today with some Godly wisdom on how to handle this situation.

It’s so easy to pour out negativity on your husband. It’s easy to complain to and about him. Try a blessing instead!

Don’t say: I can’t stand the way he never helps me with….. Say: I bless my husband today with the eyes to see what I need and the time to help me.

The Lord will help you with this…

His word is there to lead and guide us… study these scriptures and pray them daily over your life. I’m right there with you doing the same thing!

Psalms 19:14–

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Matthew 12:35-36-

A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Proverbs 10:11-

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 16:23-24-

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.