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Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

You know that’s a big fat lie, right? Nothing could be further from the truth. Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words can break your heart, ruin your life and hurt others. Words are loaded.

The power of the words on our lips cannot be overestimated. In fact, the writer of Proverbs tells us really smart people teach their mouths:

"The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones," Proverbs, 16:23,24.

In other words, wise people get a grip on their lip!

Get a Grip

Are you ready to get a grip and embark on a life-changing faith adventure? When you get a grip on your lip, your life will never be the same. Here’s why. Words carry the power of life and death. Words are power packed. They cut to the core or spread honey to the heart; they bless or curse. Words build up or tear down. Words bring forth great things, or they destroy our lives. Words frame our world. Words turn things around. Words direct our lives. Words set the rudder for the courses of our lives. Words start fires. Words ensnare. Words impart. Words bring joy. Words are seeds. Words produce fruit. Words are containers. Words are carriers. Words are not nebulous sound waves that dissipate into thin air; words can move mountains. Words play a huge role in determining our eternal destiny, the salvation of our souls and the quality of our lives on earth. Have you ever thought about the diverse power of words?

Let’s bring it a little closer to home: have you thought about the power and influence of words in your own life? What types of things are you saying these days? What types of words have been spoken to you in the past?

When you think back to your childhood, do you remember any particular things that were said to you? On the playground? In class? At home? Perhaps sticks and stones and words have hurt and shaped the course of your life. Maybe you were surrounded by people who called you names or put you down with their words. On the other hand, perhaps you were fortunate enough to have people who encouraged you and planted seeds of greatness into the soil of your heart with their faith-filled words.

When you look at the current landscape of your life, what types of words are you speaking? Words of life or death? Words of hope and faith, or words of doom and gloom? Is your mouth bringing you joy or giving you fits? Is your mouth under or out of control? Do you find yourself saying things you hope people remember or things you hope they forget? Are your lips being controlled by the fruit of the Spirit with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; or are they being controlled by flesh, lust, anger, ego, selfishness, doubt, unbelief, strife or jealousy?

Getting a grip on your lip might be the single most important thing you do this year—or for the rest of your life. Perhaps the psalmist understood something about this topic when he prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,” Psalm 141:3 , NIV.

It’s true; words have the power to hurt us. But more importantly, words have the potential to help us. Consider this rich tidbit from Proverbs, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,” Proverbs10:11. Imagine that. Our mouths have the potential to provide wells of life to our lives.

I am confident that as you get a hold of this huge biblical principle and put it into practice, you will see dramatic results. In fact, I have no doubt as the truths in this book become a part of your spiritual DNA and lifestyle, you will find yourself propelled into a completely new orbit for every area of your life.

Simple Word Truths

When I use the phrase “get a grip on your lip,” I am talking about getting a grip on your mouth, tongue, speech, speaking, saying, talking, shouting, singing, confession, profession, voice, decrees, declarations, affirmations and words.

As we get started, let’s take a bird’s-eye look at several simple truths about the power of these things called words.

Words have the power of life and death. (Prov. 18:21.)

Words have the power to bring sweetness to our souls. (Prov. 16:24.)

Words bring health to our bodies. (Prov. 16:24.)

Words produce fruit. (Prov. 12:14.)

Words can turn away anger. (Prov. 15:1.)

Words can stir up strife. (Prov. 15:1.)

Words can frame our world. (Heb. 11:3.)

Words snare us. (Prov. 6:2.)

Words take us places. (James 3:3,4.)

Words can make mountains jump and trees die. (Mark 11:20-24.)

Words bind the devil. (Matt. 16:19.)

Words loose God’s power. (Matt. 16:19.)

Words make tremendous power available. (James 5:16.)

Words stop wind and waves. (Matt. 8:26.)

Words eradicate fevers and heal sick bodies. (Luke 4:38,39.)

Words give wisdom and kindness. (Prov. 31:26.)

Words teach. (Prov. 16:21.)

Words impart grace. (Eph. 4:29.)

Words bring us salvation. (Rom. 10:8,9.)

Words give wisdom. (Prov. 1:6.)

Words can please the Lord. (Prov. 15:26.)

Words affect us spirit, soul and body. (Prov. 16:24.)

Words feed people. (Prov. 10:21.)

Words turn away anger. (Prov. 15:1.)

Words make a way. (Matt. 3:3.)

Words disperse knowledge. (Prov. 15:7.)

Words provide favor with leaders. (Prov. 16:13.)

Words protect you. (Prov. 13:2.)

Words give joy. (Prov. 15:23.)

Words win favor. (Eccl. 10:12.)

Words are the language of faith. (2 Cor. 4:13.)

Words provide a well of life. (Prov. 10:11.)

Wise people teach their mouths. (Prov. 16:23.)

As you read this book, I hope you take some time to look up the verses of Scripture for yourself and allow the Lord to help you teach your mouth, guard your tongue and tap into the well of life. Let’s begin our journey with words of prayer:

Father,

Thank You so much for Your Word. It is living and active. Your Word is Truth. I can trust every one of Your words. Thank You for giving me the unique privilege of being able to speak words that carry the power of life or death. As I begin this journey, I ask You to help me teach my mouth. I ask You for the spirit of wisdom and revelation as I read each page. I thank You for the Holy Spirit, my Teacher. May I have ears to hear every word He speaks so my mouth may tap into the well of life You so freely promise. Thank You for helping me to get a grip on my lip.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Words in Two Categories

Most believers know the importance and power of God’s Word; that is, reading the Bible and listening to the Lord as He speaks to their hearts. Of course, His words are full of power: He’s God! While most Christians know God’s Word is full of life, many haven’t given much thought or intentionality to the importance and power of their words.

God has a lot to say about the potential of our words. Let’s look at the power of our words in two categories: words we say to or about others, and words we say in and by faith.

Word We Say to or About Others: The words we say to or about others matter. We can effectively build people up or tear people down with our words. Our words can impart grace to the hearers or pierce their hearts like an arrow.

Most of us know the types of words we should be speaking to and about others. We know we should be nice. We know our words should be kind and edifying. We know we shouldn’t gossip. While we know these things, we all need a reminder from time to time to guard our hearts and mouths in relation to comments about others.

Words We Say in Faith: The words we say in and by faith matter. We have the God-given privilege of acknowledging, affirming, appropriating, confessing and laying claim to the riches of God’s Word with words. As followers of Christ, we have been blessed and enriched by Him in countless ways; the more we declare by faith His Word in and over our lives, the more we experience the tangible reality of His goodness.

I love the way evangelical Christian leader Colin Urquhart of Kingdom Faith Ministries based in Sussex, England translates 1 Corinthians 1:5 in The Truth New Testament: “Because you live in Christ, you have been blessed with all of His riches. He has blessed you in every conceivable way. You know that all His riches are yours and you are able to speak His many blessings over your life.”

Unfortunately, many people don’t know who they are in Christ or how incredibly blessed they are as a result of being “in Him.” Even fewer people understand the language of faith or the significance of speaking faith-filled words in and over their lives. They don’t really understand the biblical principles or spiritual laws attached to words. For many reasons, they are unaware or misinformed about the potential their words have to move mountains and frame their worlds. They don’t know what they don’t know. As a result, some people have become confused, critical or dismissive about this topic and have thrown the baby out with the bathwater, as they say.

What does the Bible say about believing, speaking, affirming, declaring, decreeing, naming, claiming, confessing and professing God’s Word? Thankfully, it says a lot. As believers, we need a fresh explanation of God’s Word and the importance of speaking faith-filled words.

God Hears Our Words

Let’s start with the basics. God hears our words. It sounds fundamental, but it is true—God listens. His ear is bent low, and He is listening to what we say. God’s ears hear our words, and He’s listening for some particular things. Before we look at all of the dynamics associated with our words, let’s be reminded that God has ears, and He listens:

Psalm 5:3—“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.”

Psalm 17:6—“I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.”

Psalm 54:2—“Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.”

Since God hears our words, we should listen to our words too. We should pay attention to what we say. Let’s make sure we are speaking words the Lord can bless, use, prosper, maximize and fulfill.

Agree with God

A good place to start is by agreeing with God. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” The answer is no, they can’t. It’s hard to walk together with someone when there is disagreement. We can’t walk with God in a close, fruitful way if we are not in agreement with Him and His Word. Our agreement is made known by our words; our words are indicative of whether or not we are in agreement with God. If we want to walk in agreement with God, we must line our words up with His.

Think of it this way. God’s Word is the plumb line—His Word is truth. His Word is settled. Our job is to listen to His Word and then speak the same thing knowing He hears us. When we’re in agreement with God, it’s a lot easier to walk together with Him.

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to walk with someone when they are in constant disagreement with you? Perhaps, if you’re a parent, you know how difficult it is to walk together with your teenager when they challenge or contradict everything you say.

Sometimes, we act like teenagers toward God, and our disagreeable, contradictory words make it impossible to walk with the Lord in the way He desires.

Inconsistent Words: The problem for many of us isn’t necessarily 100 percent disagreement but rather inconsistent agreement. That is, our words bounce around all over the place. Some of our words agree with God and His Word, and some of our words contradict God and His Word. For example, one day we talk blessings, praise, faith, mercy, grace, love and positive agreement with the Lord; and the next day we talk curses, unbelief, criticism, bitterness, anger and negativity; yet we expect God’s blessing.

God hears our inconsistent words, but He cannot bless them. The Bible describes this type of inconsistency: “With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on,” James 3:9-11, Message.

Harsh Words: In some cases, our words are full of harsh unbelief and doubt. Malachi 3:13-14 says: “Your words have been harsh against Me,” says the Lord, “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance?’”

The Lord listened to the words that were spoken. The Lord hears our harsh, stout words of disagreement.

When we say things like, “It’s not worth it. God, what’s taking so long? Why didn’t You answer my prayer the way I wanted You to?” or “it’s been useless to serve You. I sacrifice and tithe, and yet I see others who don’t give a dime or lift a finger to help anyone but themselves, and their lives look so blessed; it’s not fair!”

The Lord says, “I’ve heard you, but your words have been harsh against me.”

When our words are harsh, we don’t give God anything to work with. We need to eliminate harsh words against the Lord from our vocabulary. Listen, the Lord is your best friend. If there’s anybody that’s ever been on your side, it’s God. He’s your best, and maybe you’re only, friend. The Bible says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Rom. 8:31. He has never had a day when He is not for you. So, while there may be some things you don’t understand, you can rest in the fact that God has always been on your side.

Memorable Words: Did you know God is listening for memorable words? He’s writing a book with some of our words:

"Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.," Malachi 3:16.

Have you ever thought about this: God listens to our conversations about Him and records them. How would you like your words about the Lord to be recorded in the volumes of books in heaven’s library?

It’s true. God listens.

Words of Eternal Importance

Words are so important God has loaded them with the ability to impact eternity. The Lord is specifically tuning in to hear a few eternally important words from each and every one of us. The most important words we will ever utter have to do with our eternal salvation. Listen to what the Bible says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved,” Rom. 10:8,9.

So, here’s the million-dollar question. Are you saved? Do you know for sure when you die, you will spend eternity with God in heaven? Have you received the salvation Jesus has provided for you? It’s as simple as humbling your heart before God, believing in Jesus and saying so with your mouth.

The passage in Romans goes on to say:

"For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved,” Romans 10:10-13.

Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. God has given us the opportunity and free will to believe in Jesus from our hearts, and He’s given us the power to confess our faith in His Lordship in our lives with our mouths. This belief and confession of faith is the very thing that will secure our salvation.

If you’ve never believed in, received or confessed Jesus Christ as your Lord, I can think of no better way to conclude my first chapter than to encourage you to pray this prayer out loud from your heart—and remember, the Lord is listening.

Dear God,

I am so glad You are listening. I want You to know I believe in my heart Jesus is Your Son, and I believe You raised Him from the dead. Today, I confess and say with my mouth, “Jesus, be the Lord of my life.” I invite You to come into my heart, and I thank You for forgiving me of all my sins. I ask You to help me know You better and become the person You’ve called me to be. I believe it, and I declare it: from this day forward, Jesus Christ is my Lord.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.