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“It's all in what we say!”
Scripture: Proverbs 18:21
by: Frederick A. Landy, M.A.
The definition of the word “speak”
speak (spk)
VERB:
- To ______utter words ______ or articulate sounds with ordinary speech modulation; talk.
*For the sake of teaching, this excludes the 2nd-9th definitions.
Speak. American Heritage Dictionary [online]. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006-2009, accessed September 20,2012, from http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/speak/. Internet.
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The definition of the word “counteract”
coun·ter·act (kountr-kt)
TRANSITIVE VERB:
- To _____oppose______ and mitigate the effects of by contrary action; check.
(EXPLANATION: From a spiritual standpoint, this is to say that in various given situations, may it be pain and suffering, trials and tribulations, we must not act like the world acts, but rather act in a way that is different from the world.)
Counteract. American Heritage Dictionary [online]. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006-2009, accessed September 20, 2012, from http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/counteract/. Internet.
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A closer look…a
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”
- We can “___talk up____”/ say nice things or “____talk down____”/ say negative and mean things about a person, just by what we allow to come out of our mouths.
- We have the ability to ______counteract________ many negative things and declare positive things in our lives, simply by what we say!
A closer look…b
“And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
- The interpretation here is that we will be judged by the _____emotions______ through which we say things.
- To further clarify, this is to say in that of a question, are we saying things just to say it or are we saying it with the intent to better help others and even in the process, better help ourselves?
- Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:25-32 (NIV), (esp. verse 26 “’In your anger do not sin’”; this is originally found in Psalm 4:4; Furthermore, esp. verse 29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth…”)
Life application
- When we feel like we’re about to have a bad day, let's counteract that by saying “I’m going to have a good day”, because, “it’s all in what we say!”
- When there is negativity all around us and it seems like there is no way out, just say “’It is written’, (along with a verse from the Bible that addresses the situation the best)”, because, “it’s all in what you say!”
If I feel like I’m not going to do well on my test, I can just say “’It is written’, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- Let us learn to speak life where life needs to be spoken (blessings, encouragement, positive criticism, etc.) and speak death where death needs to be spoken (bad habits, everything that’s not of God, etc.), because, “it’s all in what we say!”
Other Scriptures that also refer to “…what we say!”
- Proverbs 19:9 (New King James Version, NKJV)
“A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.”
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.”
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