The Power of a Woman’s Words
Words have power. They can encourage, influence, and strengthen. They also have the capacity to hurt, discourage, and even destroy.
Most of us realize how easily our words can impact our children, our spouses, our friends, and work colleagues. However, do we consciously think of how our words can affect the lady in the grocery line or the waiter at our table and even the person we don’t know at the car wash?
I’ve experienced countless moments where I was blessed to engage in unexpected conversations. I call them Divine Appointments, empowered moments to ask simple questions of people I didn’t know. Questions like “tell me about yourself,” and more recently, “how are you navigating through this difficult time of COVID-19?”
The outcomes of these encounters always nourish me. I get to hear the stories of brothers and sisters and ultimately find ways to introduce my faith and how God’s love and peace is for all of us.
When we speak to others, no matter who they are, our intentions and what rests in our hearts are what really count. These motives are always brought to life through our words.
The truth is, our words matter! We can speak into life and help change not only in our lives but also in the lives of countless others when our aim is to lift and encourage those around us. Words make that possible.
When we speak to others we should do it kindly, truthfully, and hopefully at the right time – even when we don’t feel like it. That’s called wisdom.
How can we do this consistently? Especially in this current climate where every conversation seems charged with motives and agendas? Here are a couple of thoughts as you consider this question.
First, in all things seek God’s wisdom. James, the brother of Jesus, taught that when we lack wisdom we should simply ask God (James 1:5). He is always ready to offer us insight when we face important decisions or conversations. When we are counseling others, our advice can save lives, or it can lead others away from God. As we read in Proverbs 12:6 “The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.”
Second, we can only speak truth to life when we are empowered by God’s wisdom. As we can see from daily interactions, the world is filled with those who are dead set on foolishness, refusing to see the value of wisdom. To truly be wise, we’ve got to develop a deep respect for the Lord — or, as Proverbs 1:7 describes it “The fear of the Lord.”
Our words, especially the words of women, are impactful when they are filled with this wisdom.
For example, when we want to speak words of encouragement we might say: “I believe in you,” or “You are enough.”
When we want to speak words that influence others we might say: “You’re wise, may I ask you advice,” or “I can depend on you.”
To strengthen someone you could say “You’re so courageous,” or “I admire your fearlessness.”
Contrast these words with others that hurt, discourage, and destroy. God knows that what comes out of our mouths comes from the heart. Our hearts are either encouraging or discouraging. Let us not be a destroyer of destinies and dreams for those around us.
When Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees after healing a demon-possessed man, he countered by talking about the words the Pharisees used as compared to their deeds. He said “The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:35-37)
This verse should remind us that every word we speak counts. And one day we will all give account for those words to God. Instead of being a people who speak to discouragement, let us be a people who speak life and blessing and encouragement to those around us all the time, filled with God’s wisdom.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to speak the words that impact with love to those we know and care for and for those we have not yet met, help us encourage and inspire and be a builder of dreams rather than a destroyer of destinies. We pray the Holy Spirit will help us be known as women who speaks life into those around us.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessings.