The Power of Words

April 2004

by Dr. Libby Skidmore

"In your mouth I have given you power to build up and to break down."

These words were in my mind when I awoke one morning.  The Holy Spirit had been speaking to me in preparation for a parenting seminar I was conducting.  The message was clear and daunting:  in our mouths we have power - power to build others up and power to destroy.  This is true for all our relationships, not just in regard to raising children.

How are we doing with our mouths?  Are we building up our loved ones?  Or are we systematically destroying their self-esteem by allowing critical, unproductive words to escape our lips?

If you are prone to angry outbursts, try taking a time out when you feel yourself getting riled up.  Write down your feelings and what it is you really want to say.  When talking with others, spend more time listening than talking, and reflect back what you hear them saying.  In this way, you can fulfill the scriptural admonition to be "quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger"  (James 1:19).

I like David's simple prayer,

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips."  Psalm 141:3