The Power of Your Words: A Weapon or a Healing Balm?

You have a powerful weapon at your disposal…your words.

“Use your words,” a mother tells an upset toddler.

And we do. You will speak over 830 million words in your lifetime from your first “mama” to your last gasp.

The online dictionary, Dictionary.com now gives 1700 more. Now you can speak of bussin’ (something wonderful), bagholder (holding on to an unprofitable investment), and barbiecore (dressing in pink outfits).

The wise man said, “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23, ESV)

Words matter.

Words are weapons that wound or soothing balms that heal. Words encourage or deceive or instruct or assault.

Spoken words change history. Lincoln’s 272-word Gettysburg Address healed inspired a nation fractured by war. Martin Luther King, Jr. turned his words into his “I Have a Dream” that galvanized the fight for civil rights.

Words reveal our character.  Jesus taught,

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45, ESV)

The words we choose reflect our inner values and beliefs.

Listen closely and values such as anger, trust, foolishness, or reflection float to the surface. Impulsive words expose undisciplined and careless people.

Words matter, and they matter more if used well.

Use Words Deliberately.

A daughter noticed her mother always said the right things at the right time. She was curious. “Mother, how do you know what to say to others?”  She replied, “I always taste my words before I spit them out.”

Roll around words in your mouth and mind before your lips part. Select the best one for the moment.

Improve your vocabulary so your words carry the intended message. Mark Twain said that the difference between the right word and the almost-right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.  Choose the right word to make a difference.

Use Words Truthfully

Today, opinions masquerade as truth. Rumor, supposition, and social media gossip are cheap substitutes for reality.

Commit to speaking only the truth. In a world filled with deepfakes, old videos can be misleading—always verify before you believe. Talented deceivers manipulate perceptions. Remember, when both proponents and opponents agree, that’s a sign of factual accuracy. Approach discussions with humility, acknowledging the limits of your certainty.

A man who speaks without considering the truth is untrustworthy,  whether in important matters or minor details.  Make words show you care if they are true or not.

Use Words Compassionately.

Paul the apostle tells us,

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6, ESV)

When you speak, leave a good taste in the mouths of others., even your enemies. Eliminate words that belittle or hurt others. Instead,  use words to build bridges rather than walls. Remember, no word is without consequence; every utterance affects those around you.

You never know what your words do.

The composer-pianist Franz Liszt played the Piano Concerto in A Minor, written by a neophyte composer named Edvard Grieg.

After finishing, Liszt handed the score back to the young man with a handwritten note on the page.  “Hold to your course. Let me tell you, you have the talent for it, and—don’t get scared off!”

Adversity and disappointment would visit Grieg,  Liszt’s words stirred him and set him back on the right course.

Though they may seem like mere words, words possess immense power. Respect their power. Let your words serve as a healing balm rather than a wounding saber.