Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

It is true. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. But what does this mean to us? Well, it means this. What you say is important. In fact, what you say is so important that much of the Bible, God’s Word, is devoted to teaching us what to say.

In the book of James in chapter 3 the Bible compares the tongue to the rudder of a large ship. Although a ship may be large and driven by fierce winds, it is turned by a very small rudder. This is the way the tongue is. It may be a small part of your body, but what you say with your mouth can enhance or destroy your life.

Most Christians have no idea how their words are affecting their lives. Words can either be words of faith – words that confirm the Word of God, or words of doubt – words that destroy faith. The choice is yours. Your mouth is connected to your head, not someone else’s. You have no one to blame for what you say other than yourself. Think of it this way. Your life and your death are in the power of your tongue.

In Romans 10:9 the Bible says, “If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Notice it says that you are to confess Jesus with your mouth. It doesn’t say to think in your mind. It says to confess with your mouth. In other words say with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.

Jesus said in Mark 11:23, “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says.”

Jesus said to say to the mountain, “Be cast in the sea.” He didn’t say think to the mountain. He didn’t say believe in your heart and that will be enough. He said to believe in your heart and say with your mouth and then you will see the mountain moved.

Here is a spiritual law: God is a faith God and He releases His faith in words. In the beginning God spoke and the universes were formed. In Genesis 1:3 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Throughout creation until now God has spoken and whatever He spoke has come to pass. Ephesians 5:1 tells us to imitate God as children imitate their parents.

All through God’s Word we are reminded that what we confess with our mouths can shape the world around us. A parent has a choice when speaking to their child. They can say, “You are the clumsiest child I have ever seen.” “You will never amount to anything.” “You never do anything right” and so on and so on. Or, they can speak faith words. They can say, “You are a good child.” “You will be an achiever.” “You can do all things through Jesus.”

You may be thinking, “But you don’t know my child!” The Bible says that when things don’t look good, we are to not go by what we see anyway, but we are to walk and talk in faith. Sometimes when it comes to teenagers, we need to stand on the scripture that says we are to call those things that be not as though they were. In other words, see things as they should be. See things as God sees them. Look through the eyes of faith. Speak to your mountain in faith and it will be moved.

Think of your words as containers. When they are released from your mouth, they contain faith or they contain doubt. Remember, they are your words and you are responsible for them.

Proverbs 6:2 says we are snared by the words of our mouth. This simply means that you are responsible for your words. You have a choice. With your words you can curse and you can bless.

Speak words of faith. Speak the Word of God. Say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Say, “Jesus is Lord and Satan is defeated.” Say, “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Quote the Word.

Remember Proverbs 18:21. “Death and life is in the power of the tongue.”