I have taken the time this morning to do a little Bible study on the impact of our words, what we say. Confining my search to the book of Proverbs, I found the verses listed below as a reference. Confirming what I already knew, the lookup has convinced of how little I practice what I know. It is good however to review these things with a view to reinforcing them in my mind and heart, and especially to be guiding my mouth. If a man is able to tame his tongue, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his entire body as well. And, of course, I am nowhere near that.

Drawing from the Scriptures as mentioned, here are a few take-aways:

What you say can either trap you or liberate you, and you get to choose. How many of us are imprisoned by our own words!

There is no way you will not sin if you talk too much. If you are smart, you will keep your words to a minimum.

Closely associated with the quantity of words you speak, is guarding what you say, controlling what comes out of your mouth. Why? Because you are going to say one of two things: life, or death. If you do this the Bible calls you wise.

How you respond to people will determine the outcome of the conversation as well as make or break the relationship.

Gossip is destructive.

Much good can come from what you say, both in your own life and in the lives of others. Your words, if chosen and spoken correctly, can

1. Be a fountain of life to others; your words can give life to other people

2. Feed many the very thing they need most. This can be words of encouragement, love, good counsel, even correction. The way you feed a person spiritually is through words.

3. Flow with wisdom, bringing forth what is needful and acceptable.

4. Deliver you and others—by which is meant from anyone or anything that may be holding you captive, such as demonic influence, bad habits, evil thinking, generational curses, sickness, infirmity, and so forth.

5. Bring satisfaction to your soul.

6. Bring healing to yourself and others.

7. Make your heart glad.

8. Bring good to you.

9. Protect you.

10. Turn away anger.

11. Spread knowledge and make it acceptable.

12. Persuade others as to the truth, what is right and just.

13. Earn you a good living.

14. Garner the love of others for you.

15. Please the King of kings.

This is just a short list; much more can come from a more comprehensive approach. What I have written though is sufficient to make the point as to just how vital are our words to our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health. And not only ours, but others as well. “How delightful is a timely word!”

Here are the Scriptures I looked up from Proverbs:

If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,

Have been caught with the words of your mouth,

(Proverbs 6:2 NASB)

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,

But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

(Proverbs 10:11 NASB)

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,

But he who restrains his lips is wise.

(Proverbs 10:19 NASB)

The lips of the righteous feed many,

But fools die for lack of understanding.

(Proverbs 10:21 NASB)

The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom,

But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

(Proverbs 10:31 NASB)

The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable,

But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted.

(Proverbs 10:32 NASB)

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,

But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

(Proverbs 12:6 NASB)

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,

But the righteous will escape from trouble.

(Proverbs 12:13 NASB)

A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words,

And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.

(Proverbs 12:14 NASB)

He who speaks truth tells what is right,

But a false witness, deceit.

(Proverbs 12:17 NASB)

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

(Proverbs 12:18 NASB)

Truthful lips will be established forever,

But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

(Proverbs 12:19 NASB)

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

(Proverbs 12:22 NASB)

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,

But a good word makes it glad.

(Proverbs 12:25 NASB)

From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good,

But the desire of the treacherous is violence.

(Proverbs 13:2 NASB)

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;

The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

(Proverbs 13:3 NASB)

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,

But the lips of the wise will protect them.

(Proverbs 14:3 NASB)

A gentle answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.

(Proverbs 15:1 NASB)

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,

But the mouth of fools spouts folly.

(Proverbs 15:2 NASB)

A soothing tongue is a tree of life,

But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

(Proverbs 15:4 NASB)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,

But the hearts of fools are not so.

(Proverbs 15:7 NASB)

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

(Proverbs 15:28 NASB)

A man has joy in an apt answer,

And how delightful is a timely word!

(Proverbs 15:23 NASB)

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And he who speaks right is loved.

(Proverbs 16:13 NASB)

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth

And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

(Proverbs 16:23 NASB)

He who restrains his words has knowledge,

And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

(Proverbs 17:27 NASB)

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;

When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

(Proverbs 17:28 NASB)

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

(Proverbs 18:4 NASB)

A fool’s mouth is his ruin,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

(Proverbs 18:7 NASB)

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels,

And they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

(Proverbs 18:8 NASB)

With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;

He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

(Proverbs 18:20 NASB)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit.

(Proverbs 18:21 NASB)

There is gold, and an abundance of jewels;

But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

(Proverbs 20:15 NASB)

He who guards his mouth and his tongue,

Guards his soul from troubles.

(Proverbs 21:23 NASB)

And my inmost being will rejoice

When your lips speak what is right.

(Proverbs 23:16 NASB)

He kisses the lips

Who gives a right answer.

(Proverbs 24:26 NASB)

Like apples of gold in settings of silver

Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

(Proverbs 25:11 NASB)

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

(Proverbs 29:20 NASB)