Before You Speak...

 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21). 

       Have you noticed that one of the things the enemy has succeeded in doing is changing definitions of certain words? Such that words that were plainly understood now have double meanings. And of course, neither of the meanings is exactly what the meaning of the word should be. Some words, allow your imagination to run while actually meaning something different. The whole idea is not just to demystify language but to demystify the power of words on our tongue. 

       Now, when you think words don't matter, or they matter in certain circumstances and not in others, you will speak without guardrails on your tongue. What this means is you will mean one thing in certain circumstances and something else in another circumstance. Hence the words "I really didn't mean it like that"! Sadly, the damage will be done. 

       Beloved, words are powerful. More so as children of God. We do not see God mincing or wasting His Word. What He says He means and it stands. If we claim to be His children, then we must understand that our words matter too no matter the circumstances we find ourselves. 

       To underscore this truth, let's consider Jacob and Rachel! In Genesis 31, when Laban pursued Jacob over the stolen idols, Jacob responded with confidence and anger: "If you find your gods with anyone here, he will not live!...Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols" (Genesis 31: 32). Those were not just mere words. It was a Sentence! What made this moment sad is that Jacob did not know that it was Rachel—the woman he loved deeply, the woman he laboured 14 years for—who had taken those idols. But God heard him. And that’s the danger!

       We speak in ignorance, but forget that our words still carry weight and resound in Heaven. Not long after, in Genesis 35:16-20, Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin. You may argue it is coincidence. Maybe. But spiritually, it teaches something deeper: Words are not empty! 

       The Bible tells us "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit" (Proverbs 18:21). Beloved, not just life… not just death… both. The LORD equally said "Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you..." (Numbers 14:28). Jacob loved Rachel, but in a moment of anger and pressure, he spoke carelessly forgetting that the love of his life was very capable of what her father was accusing! 

       And this is where many of us miss it. We don’t curse our enemies but we curse the people we claim to love—unknowingly. In anger, we say things we don’t mean, in frustration, we speak words we can’t take back, in ignorance, we release what we don’t understand. And later (sadly), we wonder why things begin to die—relationships, peace, joy, even destinies. 

       Beloved, lives are built, sustained and torn down by the words of our mouth without us realising! Don't be deceived, words are spiritual seeds. Once released, they don’t return empty, they deliver on what they were crafted and sent out to do. You can love someone deeply and still damage them with your mouth. Jacob is proof of that! This is why it is wisdom to know what to say and when to be silent. Especially in these difficult and trying times! 

      We must ask the LORD for wisdom in knowing that not every situation requires a reaction. Not every accusation requires a declaration, rebuttal or defence. Most times, Silence is Protection! These are the times we must learn vigilance, not just about our surroundings and the person(s) we perceive as enemies, but things we say, passionately or dispassionately. The recipients may deserve it. But the consequences may be hard even for us to bear. 

       Hence, if I may say, under God, be careful of statements like: “I’m done with you.” “You will never succeed.” “Nothing good will come out of this.” They may feel and sound like harmless expressions spoken out of justifiable anger or a moment of hurt… but they have the power to carry lasting consequences. Also, understand this, life has a way of responding to what is consistently spoken. God had promised this in Numbers 14:28 and Psalm 2:8. Instead, "Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person" (Colossians 4:6). 

       Therefore, speak life, even when you are hurt; speak wisdom, even when you are angry; speak blessings even when you don’t fully understand the situation. Because one careless word, sentence, one emotional reaction, one moment without control can open doors you never intended to open! Remember, Jacob loved Rachel, but his words worked against his love. 

       Finally, let this be a reminder: Before you speak, ask yourself—“Am I building… or am I destroying?” "Is this what the LORD would want me to say at this time?" Because sometimes, the greatest battles we face are not necessarily outside…They are right on our lips. Also, before you go accusing someone else of failing in this, why not take a mirror and check yourself first? God bless you as we look at the Perfect Word of God in this matter and make amends where necessary.