you think back to your childhood, do you remember any particular things that were said to you? On the playground? In class? At home? Perhaps sticks and stones and words have hurt and shaped the course of your life. Maybe you were surrounded by people who called you names or put you down with their words. On the other hand, perhaps you were fortunate enough to have people who encouraged you and planted seeds of greatness into the soil of your heart with their faith-filled words.
When you look at the current landscape of your life, what types of words are you speaking? Words of life or death? Words of hope and faith, or words of doom and gloom? Is your mouth bringing you joy or giving you fits? Is your mouth under or out of control? Do you find yourself saying things you hope people remember or things you hope they forget? Are your lips being controlled by the fruit of the Spirit with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; or are they being controlled by flesh, lust, anger, ego, selfishness, doubt, unbelief, strife or jealousy?
Getting a grip on your lip might be the single most important thing you do this year—or for the rest of your life. Perhaps the psalmist understood something about this topic when he prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,” Psalm 141:3 , NIV.
It’s true; words have the power to hurt us. But more importantly, words have the potential to help us. Consider this rich tidbit from Proverbs, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,” Proverbs10:11. Imagine that. Our mouths have the potential to provide wells of life to our lives.
I am confident that as you get a hold of this huge biblical principle and put it into practice, you will see dramatic results. In fact, I have no doubt as the truths in this book become a part of your spiritual DNA and lifestyle, you will find yourself propelled into a completely new orbit for every area of your life.
Simple Word Truths
When I use the phrase “get a grip on your lip,” I am talking about getting a grip on your mouth, tongue, speech, speaking, saying, talking, shouting, singing, confession, profession, voice, decrees, declarations, affirmations and words.
As we get started, let’s take a bird’s-eye look at several simple truths about the power of these things called words.
Words have the power of life and death. (Prov. 18:21.)
Words have the power to bring sweetness to our souls. (Prov. 16:24.)
Words bring health to our bodies. (Prov. 16:24.)
Words produce fruit. (Prov. 12:14.)
Words can turn away anger. (Prov. 15:1.)
Words can stir up strife. (Prov. 15:1.)
Words can frame our world. (Heb. 11:3.)
Words snare us. (Prov. 6:2.)
Words take us places. (James 3:3,4.)
Words can make mountains jump and trees die. (Mark 11:20-24.)
Words bind the devil. (Matt. 16:19.)
Words loose God’s power. (Matt. 16:19.)
Words make tremendous power available. (James 5:16.)
Words stop wind and waves. (Matt. 8:26.)
Words eradicate fevers and heal sick bodies. (Luke 4:38,39.)
Words give wisdom and kindness. (Prov. 31:26.)
Words teach. (Prov. 16:21.)
Words impart grace. (Eph. 4:29.)
Words bring us salvation. (Rom. 10:8,9.)
Words give wisdom. (Prov. 1:6.)
Words can please the Lord. (Prov. 15:26.)
Words affect us spirit, soul and body. (Prov. 16:24.)
Words feed people. (Prov. 10:21.)
Words turn away anger. (Prov. 15:1.)
Words make a way. (Matt. 3:3.)
Words disperse knowledge. (Prov. 15:7.)
Words provide favor with leaders. (Prov. 16:13.)
Words protect you. (Prov. 13:2.)
Words give joy. (Prov. 15:23.)
Words win favor. (Eccl. 10:12.)
Words are the language of faith. (2 Cor. 4:13.)
Words provide a well of life. (Prov. 10:11.)
Wise people teach their mouths. (Prov. 16:23.)
As you read this book, I hope you take some time to look up the verses of Scripture for yourself and allow the Lord to help you teach your mouth, guard your tongue and tap into the well of life. Let’s begin our journey with words of prayer:
Father,
Thank You so much for Your Word. It is living and active. Your Word is Truth. I can trust every one of Your words. Thank You for giving me the unique privilege of being able to speak words that carry the power of life or death. As I begin this journey, I ask You to help me teach my mouth. I ask You for the spirit of wisdom and revelation as I read each page. I thank You for the Holy Spirit, my Teacher. May I have ears to hear every word He speaks so my mouth may tap into the well of life You so freely promise. Thank You for helping me to get a grip on my lip.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Words in Two Categories
Most believers know the importance and power of God’s Word; that is, reading the Bible and listening to the Lord as He speaks to their hearts. Of course, His words are full of power: He’s God! While most Christians know God’s Word is full of life, many haven’t given much thought or intentionality to the importance and power of their words.
God has a lot to say about the potential of our words. Let’s look at the power of our words in two categories: words we say to or about others, and words we say in and by faith.
Word We Say to or About Others: The words we say to or about others matter. We can effectively build people up or tear people down with our words. Our words can impart grace to the hearers or pierce their hearts like an arrow.
Most of us know the types of words we should be speaking to and about others. We know we should be nice. We know our words should be kind and edifying. We know we shouldn’t gossip. While we know these things, we all need a reminder from time to time to guard our hearts and mouths in relation to comments about others.
Words We Say in Faith: The words we say in and by faith matter. We have the God-given privilege of acknowledging, affirming, appropriating, confessing and laying claim to the riches of God’s Word with words. As followers of Christ, we have been blessed and enriched by Him in countless ways; the more we declare by faith His Word in and over our lives, the more we experience the tangible reality of His goodness.
I love the way evangelical
