Day 7:30-Day True Woman Makeover Challenge,

Measured Words

You can spend days cultivating a close relationship with someone, but it can all be destroyed by a few sinful words. Learn how to carefully measure your words.

• Isn’t it sad that we’re so much more careful about the words we say outside our homes than we are about the words we say inside our homes?

• So often, we just say whatever we think, especially when we’re with people we know really well. We just let down our hair, and we’re not so conscious about what we’re saying.

• If you humble yourself every time you sin with your mouth, you’ll start to sin less frequently with your mouth. Stop and edit your words before you speak. (That may just mean saying less.)

This is just a taste of what you'll learn from Nancy Leigh DeMoss in the series, “The Counter-cultural Woman: A Fresh Look at Proverbs 31.

Moving on....

I’m sure we’ve all had certain words pounded into our memory at an early age.  Our parents, our teachers, and others would make sure that we trained ourselves to choose our words carefully.  To think before we speak.  Of course, we’ve also been trained to believe that our words really don’t matter, because children all seem to know this silly rhyme;

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.”

Really?  I think I’d rather have the temporary pain of a broken arm than deal with the lifetime of hurt a few words can bring.

Words can be powerful.  Words can also be very dangerous.  Words seem small and insignificant, but oh what great impact they have!

For the word of God is living 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. Hebrews 4:12

Those words are POWERFUL!!  Just a word from God, and the universe was created.  Just a word from God, and life was formed.  Just a word from God, and the earth was completely flooded.  Just a word from God, and bodies were healed from disease, brought back to life from the dead, and restored to their full strength. Just a word from God…. is so powerful.

Humans were made in the likeness of God, which means….. our words hold some power as well. 

Power to lift up and encourage, or the power to destroy and belittle.  Power to make someone FEEL powerful, or the power to shrink and discourage a person.

Our little tongue has such GREAT power…. but it’s our CHOICE how we use it!!

A little over a week ago, I had the privilege of hearing motivational speaker Gary Zelesky speak on passion.  One thing that he said that really stuck with me is this:  “People will not remember the words you say, but they will remember how those words made them feel.” How true!!  How many times have you been insulted, hurt, or upset by what someone said to you… but when asked, you can’t remember exactly what was said? The feeling still remains though!

THAT is why words are powerful… they bring with them strong emotion!

As women, we tend to be extremely EMOTIONAL beings.  I don’t mean “weepy” or “moody,” I mean that we feel things more strongly than most men.  Remember getting engaged?  Showing off your ring to all your friends and family? In most cases, it would be the women “ooohing” and “aaahhing” over the ring, the story, the details (perhaps shedding a few tears of joy), while the men would simply slap the groom-to-be on the back and offer their congratulations.

What type of emotions can words bring?  Well, that depends on how you choose to use your words!

Words can bring:

Joy

Peace

Salvation

Encouragement

Praise (to others & God)

Success

Words can also bring:

Discouragement

Sadness

Anger

Bitterness

Failure

As a woman, you can explore the power you possess, the people you impact, the potential for change, and the profound possibilities as you harness this mighty force and use it to speak life to those around you.” 

Personally, I use the written word to communicate the love of God on a daily basis via posts on my personal page, on my blog and within the on-line groups I am leading.  I’m hoping that this study will empower me to the next level in my walk with God and help me to wisely choose my words, both written and spoken, to bring “life” to my family and my friends.