23 Powerful Bible Verses About the Power of Our Words
Do you remember something someone said to you when you were young, and maybe you’ve believed it your whole life? It could have been said by a teacher, sibling, friend, or parent. What they said may even have defined your life more than you realize.
The truth is that words can influence how we think and what we believe about ourselves. Whether positive or negative, they sink deep into our hearts and minds directing our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. They can leave scars, heal, or propel you to success and a better life.
These are the 23 Powerful Bible Verses About the Power of Our Words. They show us how impactful what we say can be and encourage us to speak gracious words to those around us.
23 Powerful Bible Verses About the Power of Our Words
There is power in our words. They can stop us from starting, or they can help us build the confidence we need to achieve our goals and dreams.
They say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I call fallacy on that! Words linger far longer than any scrape or bruise. Don’t believe me? Let’s have a look in the Word of God to find 23 Scriptures On The Power Of Our Words. Take time to reflect on the following Bible Verses.
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
~ Matthew 4:4 NIV
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
~ Hebrews 4:12 ESV
From Genesis 1, we see that our Heavenly Father created the heavens and earth with His words. He brought things into being by what He said.
His words create things and that same power is in us. Jesus Christ said that we can’t live without the word of God. The Bible is alive and powerful. It sustains, strengthens, guides, uplifts, and gives us wisdom.
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
~ Proverbs 18:21 NIV
“Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.”
~ Mark 11:23 NIV
Words can build a person, affirm, and motivate them, but they can also destroy someone’s goals and dreams, and tear up a person’s self-esteem.
What you say about yourself can lead you to experience success or failure. When we speak boldly with faith believing in God’s divine power, miracles will happen.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
~ 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
As Christians, we are in a spiritual battle. The enemy wants to control our minds and actions and lead us to disobey God.
But we can ask the Lord to help us destroy any thoughts and attitudes that oppose him. Once we start to think right, we start to talk right in line with God’s word.
“Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”
~ James 3:4-6 ESV
One of the most popular Bible verses about the power of words is found in The Book of James. It talks about the tongue being like the rudder of a ship.
The rudder is the primary control force when steering the ship. When it is in working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. But a passenger may not even see the significance of this small thing.
The power of the rudder usually goes unseen, since it is hidden below the surface of the massive vessel.
When the rudder turns, water strikes more forcibly on one side, and the ship turns toward the direction of less water pressure. If the rudder is off just slightly, it can mean a difference in destination by miles.
James shares that just as a rudder is a small thing, so is the tongue, but both have a monumental impact on the direction steered. The tongue can corrupt the entire body because it’s an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. It’s like a tiny spark that sets a great forest ablaze.
Your life is steered by the thoughts you let control you and the words that you speak. That’s why you need the power of the Holy Spirit to renew your speech so that only good things come out of your mouth and your life goes in the right direction.
“The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; the one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.”
~ Proverbs 13:3 AMP
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
~ Proverbs 12:18 ESV
Speaking quickly without giving much thought to the impact of your words can cause harmful words to come out and destroy relationships.
It’s important to think before you speak to preserve and protect relationships. Thoughtful and kind words bring healing, love, care, and affirmation.
“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.”
~ Ephesians 4:29 ESV
The Lord God encourages us not to let unwholesome talk which can be vulgar or worthless come out of our mouths. These can discourage and damage others and their beliefs and self-esteem. Instead, our words should build others and encourage them in the Lord.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
~ Proverbs 15:1 ESV
‘A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
~ Proverbs 15:4 ESV
These scriptures highlight the power of the tongue. When we speak gently and softly to others, it brings healing, fosters effective communication, and builds relationships.
Even an angry person becomes calm when we answer them softly. On the other hand, speaking harshly to someone causes them to be defensive and angry and crushes their spirit.
“Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:19-20 NLT
Thanksgiving week is the time we usually focus on appreciating God and the many blessings we have. However, I believe we should exude gratitude throughout the year, as it’s an important part of the mental training process.
We can train ourselves to have joy, and it stems from our hearts.
So how do we measure what our hearts are like? We measure it by the words that leave our lips! What we place in our hearts is what will eventually flood from our mouths.
The word of our God encourages us to be filled with praise and worship in our hearts. When our focus is on the Lord and what he’s done we won’t find time to complain and say negative words.
“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 12:36-37 ESV
The Bible encourages us to speak good words that honor and glorify the Lord because one day we will stand before God and give an account of our words. Every careless word that is idle and useless shows the spiritual condition of our hearts and there are consequences for saying them.
“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
~ Hebrews 1:3 ESV
Jesus Christ is the expression of the glory of God and after resurrection, he was given eternal power over sin and evil. He has the mighty power to guide our speech if we ask him.
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”
~ Luke 6:45 NASB
“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.”
~ Proverbs 20:5 NIV
“For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
1 Peter 3:10 NLT
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.”
We speak what’s in our hearts. When we fill our hearts with God’s word, promises, and principles, our words will speak the same things. To enjoy more life on earth we need to obey the Lord and stay away from lies and ungodly words.
“Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
but the word of the Lord remains forever.”And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”
1 Peter 1:23-25 ESV
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.”
1 Peter 2:2 ESV
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:22 NKJV
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18 NASB
In these verses about the power of words, we see that it’s only God’s word that will remain forever when everything else falls apart.
We need to hold onto this word and crave it in the same way that babies crave their milk. Moreover, we need to practice what the Bible says because it’s full of power and wisdom.
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Psalms 141:3 NIV
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 NLT
These inspirational Bible verses should be our prayer to the Lord that our own words and what’s in our hearts and minds bring him glory and honor.
In our own understanding and power, we are not able to fully do this and that’s why we need the power of the Holy Spirit to help and guide us in our speech and keep us from speaking without thinking.
There You Have It.
Words have power. As Christians, God’s word has power above all and we should speak it and obey it as well. Through salvation, our hearts have been changed and renewed and so should our speech.
Ask the Lord Jesus Christ through prayer to help you think before you speak, give gentle answers, and speak words of life on yourself and those around you.
I chose 23 of the Top Bible Verses About the Power of Our Words, but if you study the word, you can find a plethora more!
These scriptures prove that our words hold power, and by changing our thoughts, we can change our words, and by changing our words, we can change our lives.
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