Our parents most likely taught all of us to watch our language and to be careful of what came out of our mouths. We learned to be courteous and respectful toward others. This is because words are powerful, and they can have a great impact either for good or evil. Being careful about what we say can affect others’ lives as well as our own, not just in the physical world, but also in the spiritual realm.

Most people don’t think about the spiritual world, but it’s just as real as what we see around us. Words can take on a life of their own, and we can hurt another person deeply if we speak carelessly. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Prov. 18:21) This may seem like an extreme statement until we see the end results of what we say to others. Whether we’re deliberately hurtful or we speak comfort and encouragement, the effect of what we say always comes back to us.

We can break others’ spirits when we speak negatively toward them over an extended period of time. The emotional pain, discouragement, and resentment this generates can eventually cause others to shy away from us. We’re all susceptible to making this mistake if we don’t exercise self control in what we say. “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:2, 5, 6, 8, 10)

The way parents speak to their children has a great effect on how those children learn to think. The way husbands and wives speak to each other affects their marriage. The way siblings talk to each other impacts their relationship. People can either push each other away with a sharp tongue or build bridges and bring others closer together with their words. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Prov. 15:1, 4)

Whatever we speak about others can trigger a chain reaction that eventually comes back to the source. To be seen favorably by others, and by God, speaking in love is the wisest strategy. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29) The power of speech is a blessing, and using it for others’ benefit always results in good for everyone involved.