Powerful Words
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Words are powerful. Whether they are spoken, written, or just the words we use in our own minds...all of these words are powerful. Words can shape our lives and the lives of others. Words can make difficult situations better and more tolerable. Words can make good situations difficult. Words can destroy friendships or marriages in an instant...or strengthen others (Proverbs 11:9). Words turn away anger in those around us or stir up anger very quickly (Proverbs 15:1). Words can strengthen the body and soul...or tear down body and soul (Proverbs 16:24). The words we say has a strong influence on those around us, yet we often don’t consider that the words we say also change us.
We think thoughts. We think words. We think good things. Sometimes we think bad things. We think about things that have happened. We think about things that are important in our lives. We think about what is going to happen. Sometimes in our great thoughts we ponder about what evil might come our way. We think good of some people. We have not so good thoughts about other people. We think we know everyone based on our small interactions we have with them. We think about our weaknesses and struggles. We think about things we would like to do differently next time. We think about those we love. We think about those we hate. We think about misery. About that which causes misery. About misery that might come our way. About the misery of others. We think about things that we would like to do. We think about dreams. We think about goals in our life, our family, our job. We think about our accomplishments and successes. We think about that which we are proud of and that of which we are ashamed. We think about things we would like to indulge in. We think about lust and desire. We think about what others think about us. We think about how horrible some people are. We think about food, what we are going to eat, how good it is going to taste, who we are going to share it with. We think about loneliness and heartache. We think about those who have chosen to not be a part of our lives. We think about those who have passed on. We think about disease and sickness. We think about health and pain. We think about things that we wish we would change, but we don’t. We think about things that we wish would change, but are beyond our control. We think about dying. We think about death. We think about heaven and hell. We think about what will come after this life.
“For as he thinks within himself, so he is.” (Proverbs 23:7) Our words have great power to shape and form our lives. Spoken words have great power, but even the words that we think in our mind have great power. If we think about all of the horrible and terrible things that might happen, so we are. If we think about evil, pain, and sickness, so we are. If we think about sinful and wicked desires, so we are.
If we think about good, right, and just things...so we are. If we fill our mind with love, happiness, and true thoughts...so we are. If you want your life to go in a good direction, think good thoughts and say good things. If you struggle with temptations, think about other things. Words have power. Words we think have more power than we realize.
“Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK ON THESE THINGS.” (Philippians 4:8)