Taming Your Tongue: The Power of Your Words Devotional

In Matthew 5:22, Jesus says, "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire."

In today's world, that may sound like a startling standard. Demeaning words get thrown around so quickly and so often that we barely notice anymore. Maybe your spouse upsets you, or someone cuts you off on the highway. How fast do we mutter or blurt out something just to relieve our frustration? Jesus already warned us in Matthew 15:18, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man."

Why the Power of Your Words Matters to God

We don't just defile ourselves when frustration overrides the Holy Spirit in us; we dehumanize the person on the receiving end. Your words reveal whether there is corruption in your heart that still needs cleansing. That's the real power of your words: they expose what's underneath.

What's sobering is how easily we forget our words carry consequences into eternity. "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned," Jesus said (Matt. 12:37). He isn't only talking about how our peers judge us. Our Father in Heaven will judge those words on the last day, and they may put us in danger of hell fire if we don't repent and let the Holy Spirit guard our mind and mouth.

Heed Paul's words: "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" (Eph. 4:29). Before you speak today, remember the power of your words, and let them build up instead of tear down.

Always improve the present moment.

Always improve the present moment.

~Corbin Riley