The Power of Words

Opening Prayer

“Father, we thank You for gathering us here today under Your Word. We ask that You would give us hearts that are attentive and teachable. Lord, open our eyes to see the power of our words, and open our ears to hear Your wisdom. May the Holy Spirit guide both the speaking and the hearing today, that everything said would glorify Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Introduction

We are in a series called “Wisdom for Life.” Proverbs is God’s guidebook for living skillfully in a world full of foolishness. It shows us how to take God’s truth and apply it to everyday life.

Today we’re looking at one of the most practical areas of wisdom—our words. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” That’s strong language. Our words can bless or curse, heal or wound, build up or tear down.

Every one of us knows the truth of that. Some of us can still remember a kind word spoken years ago that gave us strength. Others can recall a careless word that left a scar. Words matter because we serve a God who speaks—and He calls us to speak with wisdom.

That’s why today’s message is titled “The Power of Words.” From Proverbs 18:21 and 12:18, we’ll see how wise words bring life, healing, and truth.

I. Words Can Bring Life or Death

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Solomon does not exaggerate here. He says the tongue carries both death and life. Our words can bless, or they can curse. They can lift up, or they can tear down.

1. The Serious Weight of Words Matt. 12:36-37; Romans 10:17

In the Hebrew language, the phrase “power of the tongue” literally means the authority or dominion of speech. Words are not empty; they have consequence. That’s why Jesus warned in Matthew 12:36–37 that “on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” Words reveal the heart, and God takes them seriously.

Think about it: nations have gone to war because of words. Families have been destroyed by words. Churches have split over words. But the gospel itself comes by words—“faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

2. Words that Give Life Eph. 4:29; Acts 9:27,15:37-39

Life-giving words are words of encouragement, blessing, and truth. They breathe hope into weary hearts. Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Barnabas is a great biblical example. His name means “Son of Encouragement,” and that’s exactly what he did—he spoke life into young believers like John Mark, and even into Paul when others doubted him (Acts 9:27; 15:37–39).

Without Barnabas’s encouraging words, much of the New Testament ministry might not have unfolded the way it did.

3. Words that Bring Death Proverbs 15:4; James 3:5-6

By contrast, words can also destroy. Gossip kills reputations. Lies ruin trust. Harsh criticism crushes the spirit. Solomon says in Proverbs 15:4, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”

James warns that the tongue is like a fire—a small spark that can set a whole forest ablaze (James 3:5–6).

Just a few reckless words can do damage that may take years to undo.

You can strike a match and light a candle to bring warmth and light into a room—or you can strike that same match and burn down a house. The same tongue that can bless your spouse, your children, your church, can also scorch them if it is not surrendered to God.

Application:

Pause and ask: What fruit are my words bearing? Am I planting seeds of life in my family, my friendships, my church? Or am I sowing destruction with careless or critical speech?

II. Words Can Heal or Wound

Proverbs 12:18 NKJV

18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

1. The Wounding Power of Rash Words Prov. 15:1

The Hebrew word translated “rash” means hasty, reckless, or thoughtless. Solomon pictures words as weapons—like swords stabbing into flesh. A sword leaves scars long after the wound closes, and reckless words often do the same.

We’ve all felt the sting of such words. Maybe as a child, someone told you, “You’ll never amount to anything.” Perhaps a friend betrayed your confidence and cut you with gossip. Maybe even within the church, careless words pierced your spirit. Words can wound more deeply than physical blows.

Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that “a harsh word stirs up anger.”

2. The Healing Power of Wise Words Prov. 15:4; Matt. 11:28; John 8:11; Eph 4:29

But Solomon gives us a contrast—the tongue of the wise brings healing. Just as a physician carefully applies medicine to a wound, so wise speech brings restoration. Proverbs 15:4 calls it “a tree of life.”

Think of Jesus. He never wasted words. He told the weary, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

To the woman caught in adultery, He said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).

His words were like balm to broken hearts—truthful, but always full of grace.

When we speak healing words—words of forgiveness, encouragement, or kindness—we reflect Christ. Ephesians 4:29 tells us our speech should “give grace to those who hear.”

3. The Role of Discernment Prov. 15:23; James 1:19

Healing words require more than just being nice; they require discernment. Proverbs 15:23 says, “A word in season, how good it is!”

A wise word must be the right word at the right time. You can say the right thing at the wrong time and still wound instead of heal.

That’s why James 1:19 exhorts us to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” Listening precedes healing speech.

In the hands of a reckless person, a scalpel can cut and maim. But in the hands of a skilled surgeon, the same scalpel can save a life. The difference isn’t in the tool—it’s in the hand that wields it. So it is with your tongue. In the hands of the flesh, words can destroy. In the hands of the Spirit, words can heal.

Application:

Ask yourself: Am I quick to wound with rash words, or am I careful to heal with wise words? Before you speak, pray: “Lord, let my words be instruments of healing, not weapons of harm.”

III. Words Must Reflect Truth and Wisdom

Proverbs 12:22 NKJV

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

1. Truth as the Foundation Proverbs 12:22; John 14:6; Eph. 4:25

If words are powerful, then they must be rooted in truth. God hates lies because He is a God of truth (John 14:6). Satan is the father of lies.

A lie may seem small, but it undermines trust. Relationships, churches, even entire societies collapse without truth. That’s why Paul tells believers in Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

To speak lies is to weaken the body; to speak truth is to strengthen it.

2. Wisdom Governs Our Words Prov. 25:11: James 1:19

It’s not enough to speak truth—we must speak it wisely. Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

Truth spoken harshly may push people away, but truth spoken wisely can open hearts.

James 1:19 reminds us, “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

Wisdom in speech often means waiting, praying, and choosing the right words for the right time.

3. The Eternal Perspective Matt. 12:37; Colossians 4:6

Our words are not just earthly tools; they carry eternal weight. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Words reveal what is in our hearts—and what is in our hearts reveals our eternal destiny.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Wise, truthful words are part of our witness to the world.

If your compass is off by even a few degrees, you’ll never reach your destination. In the same way, if your words are not anchored in truth, you’ll eventually lead yourself and others astray. But when your speech is guided by God’s wisdom, your words point people toward Christ—the true North of life.

Application:

Before you speak, ask: Is it true? Is it wise? Will this point others to Christ? A tongue surrendered to God’s Spirit becomes a powerful instrument of truth and grace in a world filled with lies and folly.

Conclusion

We’ve been walking through Proverbs under the banner “Wisdom for Life.” Today, God has reminded us of something so practical yet so powerful: our words.

We saw that words carry the power of life or death. Every time you open your mouth, you’re planting seeds—seeds that will either grow into blessing or into destruction.

We saw that words can heal or wound. A rash tongue is like a sword that cuts and scars, but a wise word is like medicine that restores and strengthens.

And we saw that words must reflect truth and wisdom. Lies and foolish talk lead people astray, but words rooted in God’s truth guide hearts toward Christ.

Friend, that’s why this is more than just good advice—this is life and death. Jesus said, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:37). Why? Because your words reveal your heart. If your heart is full of pride, anger, or deceit, it will show up in your speech. But if your heart has been changed by the grace of God, it will also show up in your speech.

Think about it: God used words to create the world. The devil used words to tempt in the Garden. And God has chosen to use words—the Word of the gospel—to save souls. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

So, the most important words you will ever speak are your confession of Christ as Lord. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” That’s where life truly begins.

Christian, from this day forward, let your words reflect your Savior. Let them bring life, healing, and truth. Surrender your tongue to the Lord and say with the psalmist, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Ps. 19:14).

Closing Prayer

“Lord, we thank You for reminding us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Help us to use our words to bring life, healing, and truth. Forgive us for the careless words we have spoken, and by Your Spirit, guard our lips so that our speech would honor You. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”