WORD HAS POWER

In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul says, "for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power".

Whatever comes out of our mouths describes who we are and what we are. . .

The Lord Himself said, "It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man" (Matthew 15:11).

Words are so powerful that it can make or break other people. . .

Are we truly aware of its power?


The mouth is an input of nourishment for one's body but it also serves as an output for what is stored in the heart. In Luke 6:45, the Lord said, "A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks".

In my younger days as a business professional, I have acquired this habit of inserting a bad expression each time I talk. Whenever a stranger would notice that I seem to be bad mouthing or using foul language in trying to stress a point, those who knew me are quick to say that, "he really talks that way but it does'nt mean anything". After I received my calling, it just disappeared! I guess I was able to store good things in my heart to replace those words of trash and garbage.

In Ephesians 4:29, Paul said, "No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear". The use of foul language means "profanity". It describes a word, expression, gesture, or other social behavior which is socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude and vulgar or desecrating or showing disrespect. Profane language or its use include: cuss, curse, derogatory language, swearing, expletive, oath, bad word, dirty word, strong language, irreverent language, obscene language, choice words, and blasphemous language.

The bible says "In the beginning was the word". That is how powerful the word is, all things including us would have never existed if not for that word that God uttered. We were created because of the fullness of God's own heart.

All our needs and wants are expressed through words we speak. How can one know how to respond if we do not speak up? Even God wants to know what we need and want. "Ask and it will be given to you . . . For everyone who asks, receives" (Matthew 7:7-8). In this case, we invoke the power of words through prayer.

Discovering the amazing power of words can only be achieved if one learns how to speak with integrity of mind, body and soul, and out of true love that comes from the heart. This requires a positive and specific choice of words that brings hope, affirmation, and encouragement.

By ending, I would like to quote St. Ignatius of Loyola who said, "No idle word should be uttered. I understand a word to be idle when it serves no good purpose, either for myself or for another, and was not intended to do so".