Topical Bible: Power of Words

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the power of words is a significant theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the profound impact that speech can have on individuals and communities. Words are depicted as instruments that can either build up or tear down, reflecting the moral and spiritual state of the speaker.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible begins with the power of words in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1, God speaks the universe into existence: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" (Genesis 1:3). This act of creation through divine speech underscores the authority and efficacy of words.

Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs extensively addresses the power of words, offering practical guidance on their use. Proverbs 18:21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit" . This verse highlights the dual potential of words to either harm or heal, to bring life or destruction.

Proverbs 15:1 further illustrates this principle: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" . Here, the wise use of words is shown to have the power to defuse conflict and promote peace.

The Teachings of Jesus

Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, emphasized the significance of words. In Matthew 12:36-37, He warns, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" . This teaching underscores the accountability individuals have for their speech and its eternal implications.

Moreover, Jesus taught about the heart's connection to speech in Luke 6:45: "The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" . This indicates that words are a reflection of one's inner character and spiritual condition.

Apostolic Writings

The epistles further explore the theme of words. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4:29, instructs believers: "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen" . Paul emphasizes the edifying purpose of speech, encouraging believers to use words that contribute positively to others' lives.

James, the brother of Jesus, provides a vivid illustration of the tongue's power in James 3:5-6: "In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body" . James warns of the destructive potential of careless or malicious speech, likening it to a fire that can cause widespread damage.

Practical Implications

The power of words in the biblical context calls for careful and intentional speech. Believers are encouraged to speak truthfully, lovingly, and wisely, recognizing that their words have the potential to influence others profoundly. The biblical exhortation is to use words as instruments of grace, truth, and encouragement, reflecting the character of Christ in all communication.

Topical Bible Verses

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
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Matthew 15:18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
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Matthew 12:36
But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
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Proverbs 13:3
He that keeps his mouth keeps his life: but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
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Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there wants not sin: but he that refrains his lips is wise.
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Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
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Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
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Greek

5015. tarasso -- to stir up, to trouble
... [5015 () translates 46 Hebrew words in the (), showing the enormous connotation
power of OT Hebrew vocabulary.]. Word Origin from a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5015.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... 3), what (4), what* (5), whatever* (3), word (454), words (375), work ... oracle, X ought,
X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

Library

Whether in the Aforesaid Words of the Forms There be any Created ...
... Therefore this sacrament is not caused by any created power of those words. ...
Therefore it is not effected by the power of those words. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the aforesaid words.htm

Now all this High State of his First Power is Undeniable from the ...
... [Way-2-115] Now all this high state of his first power is undeniable from
the words of? Now all this high state of his first power ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-115 now all this high.htm

Witnessing in Power.
... will is set against God; to have that will broken and brought into subjection to
God's will"or, in other words, it is a greater thing to have power over a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/witnessing in power.htm

Power "In" and "Upon. "
... believe to-day, that though Christian men and women have the Holy Spirit dwelling
in them, yet He is not dwelling within them in power; in other words, God has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter ii power in and.htm

Power --Its Source
... is to take up this subject of the Holy Spirit, that they may see from whom to expect
this power. In the teaching of Christ, we find the last words recorded in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter i powerits source.htm

Praying Without Doubting
... The disciples were greatly astonished by the power manifested in the Master's
words which dried up the fruitless tree from the roots. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 5 praying without doubting.htm

Power in Operation.
... of the greatest living orator, if there is no love back of his words, it is ... our
time"summer and winter, twelve months in the year, then the power of Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter iv power in operation.htm

The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service ...
... loosed in heaven." In Matthew 18:18, the Saviour gives the same power in the same
words to all the disciples as representatives of the Christian congregation. ...
/.../chapter xvi the preparatory service.htm

The Blessed Hope and Its Power
... under the auspices, so to speak, of Christ, but an immortality of holy power and
service ... As we draw to an end, let us take up the closing words of our paragraph ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter x the blessed hope.htm

The Power of the Blood of the Lamb
... In other words that which gives the precious Blood its power with God for men is
the lamb-like disposition of the One who shed it and of which it is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 9 the power of.htm