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Speak Life

We often use the phrase “speak life” to remind us of the power of our words. Proverbs 18:21 leaves no room for confusion: "Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit–you choose.” We are responsible for each word that leaves our mouths. We have no idea what each person is carrying and how our words might impact them. We must be mindful of each word. Do the words you say sometimes feel like poison being injected? Hopefully, they are more often like fruit, bringing joy and delight, like biting into a sweet strawberry on a warm summer day.

Our words have power as we speak out loud to others, but we often overlook the power of the words we speak to ourselves and the voices we allow to inform our thinking.

First, let’s establish that God made you and God doesn't mess up.

You are loved.

You are treasured.

Your life has a purpose.

You may have trouble believing those truths because we have an enemy that works overtime to make us believe a different narrative. Each song we listen to, book we read, and influencer we follow shapes our hearts and thinking. The enemy finds joy in tearing down self-confidence and deflating trust in God. When you feel down, have you spent hours scrolling social media and comparing your real life with others’ highlight reels? When you feel encouraged, have you recently spent time with a mentor providing care and accountability? When you feel overwhelmed, do you reach for God’s Word or your phone? These small decisions inform the voices that impact our self-talk. This then influences the state of our hearts, finally overflowing into the words we speak to others.

Matthew 12:34 reminds us, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” If you notice the words to yourself and others are not speaking life, it’s time for a heart check.

God, may Your Voice be louder than any others in my life. Guard my heart against lies from the enemy so my heart will overflow with words that speak life to myself and others.

Reflection:

Take an inventory of the voices speaking into your life. Are changes needed?

Take an inventory of the words coming out of your mouth. What do they say about the overflow of your heart?

Katy Bradley
SNU Dean of Students