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The Power of Words

Clark Beck | May 10, 2026

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“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” — Proverbs 18:21

Our patterns of communication affect everything about our lives. A truly wise person is a person who knows how to control his tongue. In fact, if you can’t control your speech, it’s one of the most evident signs that you are not yet wise. And if harsh, nasty, ungodly speech keeps spewing out of your mouth, it’s a sign of spiritual heart disease.

An uncontrolled mouth is a sign of an unsubmitted heart. On the other hand, a heart that has been transformed by the power and grace of God will be evident by the kind of things that come out of your mouth. As Proverbs 10:11 puts it, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.”

A new heart produces new words that impart life to other people.

Every Word Matters

If our words have the power of life and death, then every single word we speak matters immensely. Words are not like cheap, disposable products. They are like precious jewels — they have lasting value, either way.

Jesus warned us about the importance of our words: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).

James tells us that our words are very much like the rudder that steers the ship — a small member, yet it boasts of great things. Our words set the course for our lives. When we speak, we are either a fountain of life-giving water or we are a scorching fire.

Words Reveal the Heart

Words reveal our hearts. Even though our words can create problems in our lives and relationships, the real issue is what they reveal about us. What comes out is what’s already there. Jesus put it plainly: “Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).

If you haven’t caught the drift yet — you are the problem. Your wife, husband, children, boss, coworker, or the person who cuts you off in traffic — they are not the reason you say things you shouldn’t. You are the reason.

Jesus encountered every frustration we encounter, yet he never sinned with his words once. So, if you speak with anger, you first have a bitter, unforgiving, or proud heart. If you are critical, you first have a heart that desires to put yourself before others. If you are a liar, you first have a heart that hates other people.

These are the kinds of words we are called to put away. Paul writes: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).

New Words for New People

In Christ, we are new people, and God has a plan for us to have new words coming out of our mouths. When we are born again by the Spirit of God, we are new creations with new, soft hearts.

Not that we are good in ourselves — but we are made righteous by the transforming power of the Gospel and the Word of God applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Over time, we have all the treasures of his Word and grace to share with others.

Paul frames our calling clearly in Colossians 4:5–6: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

The way we talk at work, at school, at social events, and at family gatherings — our speech is to always be gracious. We don’t even speak evil of politicians. We are called to a whole new way of talking and relating to the world around us through our words.

Words Create Worlds

As one person said, “Words create worlds.” Our words have the power to shape our lives, our relationships, and even the lives and callings of other people. Much of the life you are experiencing today — whether in good or bad ways — is the fruit of the tongue.

Our children, spouses, friends, and church family have their worlds shaped by our words. I want to challenge you to see who the people around you could be, not just who they are today. Then speak life into who God has called them to be, even if they have years of growth ahead of them. This is how leaders are made. This is how pastors are called. This is how missionaries are sent. This is how children become men and women of God.

We never lose our need for the life-giving water of wise and encouraging words.

Every Word from the Mouth of God

This world of encouragement is rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3). God’s word is our life.

If we listen to his Word, submit to his Word, and speak his Word, then we will become those who have soft hearts, who are filled with good treasure, and who are like a fountain of healing water to other people.

Let’s create a world built on Christ-centered, Word-based, and God-glorifying words. Let’s create a world where others feel refreshed, strengthened, and envisioned for God’s mission by our words.

Let’s be a people who speak life.