Do you remember listening to the catchy beat of the song “Words” by Hawk Nelson? The song starts out by saying:
They've made me feel like a prisoner
They've made me feel set free
They've made me feel like a criminal
Made me feel like a king
They've lifted my heart
To places I'd never been
And they've dragged me down
Back to where I began
Words can build you up
Words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart
Or put it out...
The whole song talks about the importance of our words—how we can build others up and tear them down. How our words can have more impact on others than we could ever dare imagine. It encourages us to only speak out things rooted in the love of Christ.
I have seen and witnessed how words can have a detrimental effect on people. I have been on the receiving end of some harmful words. Some of these words, especially when I was younger and didn’t know better, I wove into my identity. I didn’t know that I didn’t have to believe and receive everything people spoke over me. So instead of these words cascading off me like water on a duck’s back, I allowed them to seep into my heart and soul. I was like a sponge—soaking in the bad along with the good. I carried myself as someone who didn’t have worth nor value. These toxic words shaped me into a woman who believed she didn’t belong. She believed she was a discarded piece of trash—an annoyance and inconvenience to others. She was ashamed of who she was. She became someone who strived for perfection, a people-pleaser, and used others and substances to feel better about herself. She became an addict to needing to feel good all the time to cover up the ache of unworthiness.
These were all lies that I didn’t know I believed.
I see this so prolific in our world. We use words to hurt, manipulate, deceive, cut down, dismiss, condemn, gossip, complain, and slander. Many times we do it out of jest. We don’t mean it but they can hurt just as much. We have been taught not to communicate when something hurts as we have been labeled as “overly-sensitive” or “can’t take a joke.” Since the increase of social media, this has only gotten worse. I believe, though, that we can work on getting better in this department. We don’t always have to say what is on our minds and on “the tip of our tongues.” In fact, if we transform our minds, we can transform our words. Joyce Meyer often says, “Wherever the mind goes, the man follows.” This is to mean, our minds often lead our steps—either in a good direction or bad direction.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
In Christ, we have power at our disposal to renew our thoughts and our tongues. I had a conversation with a Christian co-worker one time who was working on what words she spoke aloud. I mentioned that if we began the transformation in our mind, then our words would follow. Interestingly enough, her strategy was completely backwards. She said, “I plan on working on what I am saying first and as my words change, so will my mind.”
Lately, the enemy has been throwing arrows at my identity. At deep wounds that make me question my worth, value, adequacy, and belonging. Am I really valued Jesus? Am I worthy? Am I hopeless? Am I a disappointment to others? To you? Do I have anything to offer this world? What do I have to give in my broken state?
Do you see the lies woven in the questions above? Christ died for me and I am made a new creation, made in the righteousness of the One who loves me and laid His life down for me…but I still act at times as though I haven’t been brought into the Kingdom of heaven. The enemy loves to twist the truth by jabbing at my wounds. A fresh wave of pain resurfaces, causing me to feel and accept things that I had left behind in the grave. It’s easy to play a narrative in my head through the eyes of pain. The things I know to be true seem to get buried under the weight of heaviness, confusion, and rejection.
But this is where the value of words—God’s words—comes into effect on a soul hungry for truth, hope, and love. Where the enemy wants us to remember our past and broken state, God reminds us of our future and that we are clothed in His righteousness. Take a look at Ephesians 1—this is what the Lord has spoken over my past and declares over my future (and yours):
- Spiritual blessings
- Chose me in Him before the foundations of the world
- I am adopted as His child
- There is a purpose in His will for me
- I am blessed in the Beloved
- I have redemption and forgiveness of sins through His blood
- In all wisdom and insight making known to me the mystery of His will
- I have obtained an inheritance
- I am sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit
When I am getting a beat down from the enemy, it is important to remind myself of these truths. Furthermore, God reminds me of truths spoken through others that has helped encourage me in times of hopelessness, desperation, and inadequacy.
These words spoken over me at different times and situations remind me (no matter what the enemy says):
- I am a blessing to others
- I am a glory-carrier (a carrier of God’s Spirit and glory)
- I am covered and sealed by the blood of Jesus
- I have a beautiful heart
- I am a leader and a teacher
- I am a worshipper
- God loves me and is smiling down on me
- I am a flower with branches and blooms reaching towards the Son
- God has called me by name—resurrection, born again, and made brand new
- I am a woman of perseverence and faith
- I am chosen, holy, and dearly loved
- I am a glittering opal
- God is pleased with me
God invites us, as His children, to speak life and not death, blessings and not curses, over our brothers and sisters in Christ, neighbors, co-workers, and strangers alike. Why? Because He knows how much we need them when the enemy comes a-prowling like a lion, ready to devour our hope, joy and peace. We don’t know how a kind and prophetic word from others can impact our life and how we speak over ourselves! The words listed above, I made it a priority to write them down as soon as I could after it was spoken over me because I knew there would be a day I would need to reclaim and declare it over myself once more.
Has someone spoke words of how God sees you? Has a blessing been laid on you and your family? Have you received prophetic dreams from the Lord? I encourage you if you haven’t already, write them down! God always gives us what we need before we need them. A kind and beautiuful word from someone is like a sweet balm to our soul. Most importantly, this word is eternal. When you receive, receive with all your heart and declare it over yourself. And when you are in the low of your lows, allow these words from the Lord to bring life to you once more!
Jesus, I lift up the sweet soul reading this post. I ask that You would remind them of Your promises, Your blessings, and sweet words that have been spoken over them. Help them to remember and to declare it’s power over their heart, mind, and soul. Help them to walk in those blessings. Help them to recognize when the enemy whispers lies to them. May You protect them from the devourer that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. May You shelter them under your wings of protection. I pray, Jesus, that Your power and anointing would fall upon their heart and that they would speak life and blessings over themselves and over others. Help them to recognize and discern when something is said that does not align with Your Word, especially if it’s something spoken over them.
We repent, Jesus, of times we have spoken something over someone else that grieved Your Spirit. We ask that You would reprogram our minds and renew our thoughts to align with Your thoughts and Your ways. Touch our tongues, Jesus, to only speak words that bring life and blessings to others! Help us to be quick to repent when we stumble in this area of our lives. Thank You, Jesus, that we are not alone in this. In Your Word You say that You are working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases You (Philippians 2:13). We receive Your words, blessings, and promises over our lives and our families lives. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
