Do my words really matter? - Words - TouchPoints

Deuteronomy 23:23“But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.”

Joshua 9:18-20The Israelites did not attack the towns, for the Israelite leaders had made a vow to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. The people of Israel grumbled against their leaders because of the treaty. But the leaders replied, “Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel, we cannot touch them. This is what we must do. We must let them live, for divine anger would come upon us if we broke our oath.”

When we say we will do something, people should be able to trust that we will do it. Otherwise, we cannot be counted on and make a poor example what followers of Jesus should be like. The real test of this will come when it costs us to keep our word.

Psalm 15:1-3Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.

Our words matter to God; only those whose motives are pure and who lovingly speak truth can enter his presence.

James 1:26If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

Our words show what kind of people we really are. We cannot live a double standard of speaking one way in church and another way on the job or in the community.

Proverbs 11:11Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

Words of blessing and words of anger are both powerful. We can greatly help or hinder those around us by what we say.

Proverbs 17:9Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Our words make a real difference in our relationships.

Matthew 12:36-37“And I [Jesus] tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

The words we speak during our lives can condemn or justify us on Judgment Day. We should make it a habit to pray that God will help us guard our mouth from all forms of verbal sin and help us speak words that bring comfort, peace, truth, and encouragement to others.