Power of Words by Mayada Naami
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”
(Proverbs 18:21, NIV)
For those of you that know me you are going to find this hard to believe, but I struggle with communication. I grew up in a family of talkers, but no one really listened. I remember, as a child, sitting at a table where everyone seemed to be talking at the same time, and I would sit back and wonder who was listening. I shrugged it off thinking this was the norm. Later in life, I married someone who wasn’t a good listener and who liked to argue, which caused me to further struggle with verbalizing what I wanted to say. Only recently, through writing, have I been able to verbalize what I want to say. Over the last few years, my prayer has been for God to give me the ability to speak. In June of 2021, God answered my prayers at Gateway Church. I met a person, his name is Paul, who was very big on being “impeccable with your words.” At first, I thought, I am impeccable with my words. What was he talking about? But, as we spent more time communicating, I realized that he was right when he corrected me after I said things that were not aligned with Truth rooted in Love.
But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken (Mathew 12:36, NIV).
It is said working males average 2000-3000 words per day, and females speak 10,000-20,000 daily. However, both average about 500-700 words of actual value. What I learned about myself the last few years is that I talked a lot but was not saying anything of value. After meeting Paul, I started to be more aware of the words that I was speaking. Today, as I was driving him to the airport, I made a general statement that he was quick to correct. I used to get defensive, but now I realize he is teaching me to be impeccable with my words—and I welcome it. There are over 100 Bible verses referring to the power of the tongue. I cannot quote them all today, but I encourage you to read them and reflect on what God is saying to you through His Word.
In Ephesians 4:29, the Bible says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Let us, as the Church and the Body of Christ, make a daily intentional effort to lift each other up instead of tear each other down with our words.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4: 12-13, NIV).
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Join the Pearls Team next Wednesday, May 25th from 6-30-7:30 p.m. for our last POP Chat on Zoom before we break for the Summer. Mayada will be presenting the message: “Spiritual Battle-Warrior Princess.” Gifted songwriter and singer Renee Rollins will provide the worship. Email us at: info@pearlsofpromiseministries for more registration.