Words

The Power of Your Words: What the Bible Says About Watching Your Mouth

By Cassie Littel · Adapted from her message “Watch Your Mouth”

Here’s something I’m not great at: watching my mouth. So when I was asked to teach on it, I laughed and asked for someone else. I didn’t get out of it. So I’ll go first and be honest.

The Bible is clear. “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up” (Ephesians 4:29). And James says it plainly: out of the same mouth come praise and cursing, and that shouldn’t be (James 3:10).

You have the power of life or death with your words.

Start with the voice in the mirror

For a lot of us, the harshest words we speak are to ourselves. I’m not good enough. I messed up again. I’ll never measure up. But God knew what He was doing when He made you. He loves you, and He actually likes you. He delights in you.

Stop cursing what God made. Come into agreement with what He wrote over your life. Look in the mirror and speak life. It feels awkward at first. Do it anyway.

A real compliment vs. a wish

“I wish I had your house. Your marriage. Your money.” That sounds like a compliment, but it’s envy. When you’re content with the season God has you in, you can celebrate someone else for real. Celebrate yourself first, and you’ll finally be free to celebrate others.

Say what you need

The people you love can’t read your mind. It’s okay to say, “I need this from you.” Use your words to help them understand what’s going on inside, instead of being mad that they didn’t guess.

Your words can wake people up

Your city is full of hurting people. Your workplace, your kids, your in-laws, your neighbors. There are people only you can reach. Kindness from God’s people can shake a sleeping community awake. If you’re on God’s team, you’re on the hospitality team.

Try this this week

• Catch one negative thing you say about yourself and replace it with what God says.
• Give one real compliment, with no “I wish” in it.
• Tell someone you love one thing you need.
• Speak life into one person who needs it.

About Cassie

Cassie Littel is a communicator, ministry leader, strategist, and mom of four. She speaks and writes about faith that works on Monday.

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