Influence of Our Words

[Daily Devotional]

Influence of Our Words 

     And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Col. 3:17.  

     Men are greatly under the influence of their own words. You are not
conscious how much you are affected by your words. You accustom yourself
to speak in a certain way, and your thoughts and actions follow your
words. One accustoms himself to assert certain things in regard to
himself, and at last he comes to believe them. Our thoughts produce our
words and our words react upon our thoughts. If a man forms the habit of
using sacred words reverently, he will form the custom of carefulness of
speech, knowing that there is a Witness to every word uttered. When the
feelings become excited and the speech is exaggerated, the mode of
speaking is always extreme. It acts and reacts upon ourselves.  

     The Word declares, "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by
thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matt. 12:37). If our words act upon
ourselves they act more powerfully upon others. There is great mischief
done by words spoken. God alone knows and measures the result of a
careless, exaggerated mode of speaking. There is much swearing done in
spirit. . . .  

     You are reproducing your own character in others. You may express
many things that will create in other minds a course of thought which
will lead them into false paths. God may spare you to outlive your
exasperated feelings and come to have sensible thoughts. You may outlive
your doubts, and through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ
escape from the snare of the fowler. You may pass into the sunshine of
faith, but oh, you may never be conscious . . . that these words are
doing their mischievous work in the soil of the hearts of others, and
poisoning it. Here is a harvest some must reap. . . .  

     Raise the standard for Christ Jesus and have all your words select,
seasoned with salt. Cultivate true dignity. . . . Let your words feel
the influence of the converting power of God. Let wholesome words be
spoken.  

>From That I May Know Him - Page 137