Have you ever had your soul crushed by the words someone spoke to you? When words have been spoken out of love toward you, how sweet did those words taste? The words we speak have a remarkable impact on the lives of those we speak them to. There is power in the tongue and we have the choice to speak life or death into the lives of others.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
- Proverbs 18:21a
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- The Best Easter Finds: Perfect For Pointing To Jesus– Don’t just hide Easter eggs this year, use this Easter advent to tell your kids about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
My Battle Against Hurtful Words Spoken To Me
Recently, I experienced someone who used their words to curb my own. This was odd because this was an environment that is meant to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences. The way I was being spoken to made me feel like a little kid being scolded. I was just told to not speak and then wasn’t given the opportunity to converse about the issue and the call ended.
When this person told me to refrain from sharing as often, I began to question myself. Am I talking too much? Do I not allow others to speak? Is what I have to share not prompted by the Holy Spirit and filled with prideful ambition instead?
The words spoken to me had a remarkable impact on me in a negative way. Immediately, I got on the phone to call a friend and ask, “Is what they said about me true? Do you see any validity to what this other person said?” I was met with reassuring words from my friend and my husband later that night. But the hurtful words had already been spoken and I had to wrestle with them.
Overcoming Hurtful Words With Words Of Encouragement
That night, I didn’t sleep more than an hour of intermittent sleep. These words truly messed with my mind and made me second-guess my purpose and character. But God was working, and He had a way for me to navigate through this.
The next night, I went to bible study where I met with a group of women that I have been so blessed to know over the last five years. I told some of them the situation, and each one of them spoke life and healing back into my soul. Each woman affirmed me and reminded me of who I am in the Lord, and I was restored.
>> Has this happened to you? I would love for you to share below how God affirmed you in who He created you to be and surrounded you with loving people. Leave a comment below.
After my dear sisters in Christ surrounded me with their love, God continued to assure me. The Lord showed me an example of the power of our words in the Bible.
Your Words Have The Power To Build Or Destroy
In the Bible, there is a famous prophet. This prophet was faithful, courageous, obedient, prayerful, bold, and persistent. His relationship with the Lord was zealous, dependent, and Holy Spirit anointed. This prophet used his words to tear down the evil that was threatening God’s people in Israel’s leadership. This remarkable prophet is none other than Elijah.
Elijah’s ministry was incredible. As a prophet of God Almighty, Elijah confronted King Ahab, ruler of Israel. Ahab was wicked and was far worse than all the other kings of Israel who came before him (1 Kings 16:33). The first words uttered by Elijah in the Bible are found in 1 Kings 17:1, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Those are some powerful words.
This statement would have presented no real threat had it not come to fruition. However, Elijah prayed that the Lord would shut up the heavens, and Israel did not see rain for the next three years! To Ahab and the kingdom, these words were detrimental to everything, and Elijah had just begun.
I Highly Recommend This Related Bible Study: Discover how the prophet Elijah was forged in the valley of famine. Here is a phenomenal Bible study by Priscilla Shirer>> Elijah: Faith and Fire
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Life-Giving Words Elijah Spoke To One Woman
Elijah didn’t speak the words of drought over the land of Israel and escape to an oasis for three years. Instead, God sent Elijah deep into the desert, where the water and food were even more scarce. Elijah was completely dependent on the Lord for provision and survival.
While in the desert, Elijah saw God work in the most incredible ways. God chose one of the most selfish birds, a raven, to bring food each meal, every day. The Lord also provided the little water Elijah needed from a wadi (1 Kings 17:2-4). When the wadi dried up, the Lord told Elijah to go to a nearby town and seek out a widow who would provide for him (1 Kings 17:9).
Widows in these days would not have made very much to survive. In addition, she had been living through a drought that made it abundantly more difficult. But Elijah was obedient and trusted in the Lord’s provision. God knew the widow’s heart. Even though she was preparing to make the last meal for her and her son before they would die, she was willing to make bread for Elijah.
“Then Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid… for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land'” (1 Kings 17:13-14). Elijah prayed, and they were sustained through these life-giving words spoken.
The words we speak can be words of encouragement and hope spoken into the lives of others. Are your words bringing people encouragement and hope? How are you using your words to impact those around you?
The Words We Speak Can Be Said With Confidence
Out of obedience, Elijah listened to the Lord’s commands and went wherever God told him to go. In another instance, a young boy dies. Elijah lays hands on him and the boy was raised from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24). After Elijah spoke life back into a young boy who had died, the Lord told Elijah to go back and speak to King Ahab again.
Elijah told Ahab to assemble all the false prophets of Baal and meet him on the top of Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). There, the battle of the prophets commenced. When it was Elijah’s moment to speak, he prayed that God would send down fire on the altar he built. The Lord answered Elijah’s request and sent down fire that completely consumed the entire altar.
Wow! The power God displayed was brought about by the words Elijah prayed. This miracle changed the hearts of the people (1 Kings 18:39). The words we speak can change the lives of those we say them to as well. Elijah had a great victory in the battle of the prophets, but that didn’t make him immune to the words of others.
When The Words We Speak Are A Gut Punch
Elijah had remarkable confidence and boldness in the Lord. This mighty prophet of God used his words as a typical weapon of spiritual warfare. Elijah truly was a strong soldier in God’s army.
Then Jezebel stepped on the scene and spoke. The words that Jezebel spoke towards Elijah were powerful and soul-crushing. You read in 1 Kings 19:2, Jezebel vowed, “If it’s the last thing I do, I will kill you.”
Jezebel sent words from her mouth that were a gut punch to Elijah. The man who had done mighty works in the name of the Lord took these words and allowed them to take over his confidence. When Jezebel spoke, her words caused Elijah to flee from his place of victory on top of Mount Carmel.
Don’t Let Fear Rob You Of Your Joy
Here is this mighty prophet of God, and the words spoken to him shook him to his core. Elijah fled in fear and isolated himself from his servant (1 Kings 19:3). Then he lay down under a tree and prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19:4).
Words are significant. Let me say that again. Your words are significant! Elijah used his words as a weapon of warfare, but so did Jezebel. Each person was effective in having a remarkable impact on others with words.
When The Words We Speak Are Hurtful
We all have felt the impact of words, whether they have been spoken out of love or spoken to be hurtful. Unfortunately, words spoken against us to cause harm are typically coming from a jealous person. When people see greatness in another, they either love the person and encourage the gifts and talents they have, or they look for ways to tear the other person down and remove them as a threat.
God has given each of us a purpose and a gift. When we use our words boldly to glorify the Lord, there is protection and provision. This doesn’t mean we won’t feel the infliction of words spoken against us. This means that even in the hurt and turmoil we can sometimes experience, God will be there in the midst of it.
Seek Out Godly Counsel
Elijah asked God to just kill him because the words against him were more than he wanted to bear. Instead of granting Elijah’s prayer, God sent him reinforcements. God sent Elijah an angel who kept watch while Elijah slept. The angel would also wake Elijah to provide him food and water that would prepare him for his next assignment (1 Kings 19:5-8).
Surround yourself with others who will provide you with godly counsel. When hurtful words are spoken against you, go to your wise friends and ask for honest feedback. Ask your friends if they see any truth to what was being said. Self-reflect on their feedback and take the matter to the Lord. Godly counsel coming from people who know your character will always speak words of truth out of love for you.
The words we speak are significant. There is power in the tongue. Are we weaponizing our words to destroy others or are we using your words to edify and encourage others? We have the choice to speak life or death into the lives of others. Are your words bringing people closer to the eternal hope found in Jesus or are they pushing them away? How are your words affecting others?
Related: Do you want more on the prophet Elijah? Here is a phenomenal Bible study by Priscilla Shirer>> Elijah: Faith and Fire
I would love to hear from you. Comment below the last time you chose to build someone up with your words rather than tear them down.
Loved this! Great food for thought!
I like to encourage and pray for the delivery people who come to my home.
I offer them a bottle of water and then ask if I may pray for them.
Prayer is the greatest gift of protection you can give someone. I love your heart 🫶🏼.