The Importance of Our Words
There are many verses in the word of God about the power of language and grammar - and there is power in our speech
Read Time: 3 minutes
In Mark 6:14-29, we read the story of the end of the life of John the Baptist. Let me comment about Herod in these verses. Herod personally had great respect for John the Baptist. At that time, no one dared to criticize the king or tell him he had sinned. But John boldly exhorted Herod that he should not have married his brother’s wife.
We see that Herod did nothing to retaliate. Although he did not follow John’s counsel, in his heart, he respected him and considered him a holy man. Then, at Herod’s birthday party, when Salome finished dancing, he swore he would give her anything she wanted, even half of his kingdom.
He never thought she would consult with her mother, for he knew her mother hated John the Baptist. The girl asked for something that broke his heart, and because of the oath he had taken before the people at that celebration, he issued the order to kill John.
I want to talk to you about speech. We see that Herod’s mouth opened in a way it should not have. There are many verses in the word of God about the power of language and grammar, and in general, there are many verses about our speech. Whether we accept it or not, there is power in our speech. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
With the tongue, you can create life, or with the tongue, you can create death or destruction. God knows how much we have hurt and upset others with our language and vice versa. How many times have we been hurt in life because of the words of others?
In Matthew 12:37, we are told our words determine our destiny. Because of our words, we will either prosper or be condemned. Our words can affect our justice or our justification. Basically, when you believe, you confess with your own tongue, which means God wants this faith to start with your tongue. In Romans 10:9-10 (ESV), the Apostle Paul emphasizes this:
Our faith and confession are not enough. If our confession is in our hearts, we must also confess with our tongue. God is aware of the power of our tongue, and the Apostle Paul says this confession is for our salvation.
The first thing that can help us control our speech is that we should change the content of our words. We cannot be a spring from which both fresh and salt water come out at the same time. We cannot have a mouth that blesses and curses. It is not appropriate for this to happen. A salty spring cannot produce fresh water.
confession is for our salvation
You see, sometimes you say something, and immediately when you think about it, it can make you feel ashamed. So, you need to think a little before you speak. Don’t hurt anyone. We should be careful and use our tongue to love others, to give grace to others, to bless others, and to preach the word of God. When the tongue is used for these purposes, then the wicked cannot defile our language.
In the end, since we know that there is power in our speech, it is better to use it in the divine path, entrusting the power of our speech to the hands of God. When we use our speech like this, we glorify God, and we feel good. Today, my prayer is that all of us can use our speech in the way that God wants.
Majid Esmaeli,
Leicester Westleigh Ecclesia, UK