Jesus Is Your HealerSample

The Power of Our Words

Today, I want to discuss the power of your words. You might think, Why would my words have anything to do with my healing? Well, in today's devotional, I’m going to show you how, using scripture to illustrate just how powerful your words can be. As you read it, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where in your life you need to improve in this area.

Proverbs 15:28 says, “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.” When people get into an intense argument and want to say things in anger, I tell them to take a step back. They need to remove themselves from the situation and really study how to answer. Maybe you need to count to 10 or even 100 to cool your emotions down. Take yourself out of that environment instead of just spewing out your emotions and saying damaging words you will undoubtedly regret. You need to study how to respond because when our words leave our lips, they go into the air and then into the ears of the hearers. But first, they’re inside our bodies. You may still be wondering, What does teaching and disciplining my words and mouth have to do with healing? I’m going to show you!

When you read Proverbs 16:23, it says, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.” And then read Proverbs 18:21, which says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” You see, everybody will eat the fruit of their words at some point or another. Jesus even says in Matthew 12:36, “...that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” These verses are just a few of many examples from the Bible that speak about the importance of our words, and how important it is to take responsibility for and discipline our mouths. Now look at Matthew 12:37, which says, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” In other words, this verse is talking about what happens when we abuse our words and use them against someone else. Maybe you gossip, or maybe you don’t gossip but know someone who often does. I want to emphasize to you that the power of gossip can actually hurt your physical body. Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.”

If someone gives you something, suppose it’s your favorite candy. I prefer dark chocolate with nuts, and when I see a dark chocolate bar with nuts in that package, I can almost taste it because I know it’s going to be good. It’s just like those “tasty trifles” in Proverbs 18:8. When people gossip, they sometimes try to find ways to get around it because they know it is wrong. They might say, “I know I shouldn’t say this. Oh well, I’ll just disguise it as a prayer request. You are going to want to hear this — it’s so juicy and so good.” And then they gossip. Well, according to Proverbs 18:8, when you gossip, your words “...go down into the inmost body.”

Now look at Proverbs 18:20. It says, “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.” I want you to ask yourself this question: Do I want to be filled with the words I’m speaking? When you speak, you should want your words to produce good for those around you but to also produce good for your own stomach. Let’s read that again: “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words are so powerful and so important. I don’t want to focus on confession so much in this devotion, but you should know that confession is a very powerful thing. The Bible tells us that Jesus kept a good confession even before Pontius Pilate in First Timothy 6:13-16. You should take a moment to read this chapter — it is simply amazing how Jesus kept true to His confession. He is our perfect example.

So when sickness or disease comes to you or your loved ones, do not give place to saying things like, “Oh, the diagnosis is so bad. They are probably going to die. There’s nothing we can do,” or “They told me I have this sickness and I will probably never get over it. I might as well get used to it.” All those words have power, and you read in Proverbs 18:8 that your words literally go down and take root within. So, what should you say? Say, “You know what? The doctor may have said I have this sickness or disease, but according to Isaiah 53:5, God’s Word says that by His stripes, I am healed. Jesus paid a mighty price for my healing, and I am choosing to confess what God’s Word says about me and my healing. Jesus is my Savior and my Healer.” Those words will bring faith into your heart. Giving into saying words of doubt, fear, and pessimism is serious. I have heard people say about a friend who was sick, “They’re just so sick; they’re probably going to die.” In response, I said, “I do not receive your words about my friend. I believe my friend will live!” Well, I believed my friend would live, and my friend lived. I didn’t listen to those negative words. You see, your opinion matters.

The words you speak out of your mouth matter. So always make sure that the words you speak aren’t cursing or dooming someone to sickness, but that you are speaking words of healing and hope.

Practical Application:

1. Read Proverbs 15:28.
2. Read Proverbs 16:23.
3. Read Proverbs 18:8 and 21.
4. Start asking the Holy Spirit to guide the words you speak. Ask Him to help you speak wholesome, honoring words instead of gossip.