When you think of it, words are very important. What one says, as well as the way one says something, tells us a lot. Sometimes our words can be very pleasant. At other times we may raise our voices and just scream at another person. And of course there are words that no person should ever utter—foul, curse words, words of deceit, words that harm.

What kind of words do you speak? I think it is a valid question that we all need to answer for ourselves. Why? Jesus said, “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an account for it in the day of judgment.” (Matt. 12:36) Earlier Jesus had said that, “...For the mouth speaks that which is out of the heart.” (v 34) He ends this section of scripture by saying, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (v 37)

The words we speak are the things that we have stored in our hearts. Our speech is just an overflow of that. What happens when angry words come out of a persons mouth. Could it be because the heart is angry and unloving?

Solomon stated in (Proverbs 21:23), “He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from trouble.” It is important to watch what we say as it could cause us to lose our souls. Another proverb that Solomon spoke was, “Like apples of gold in silver settings is a word spoken in right circumstances.” (Proverbs 25:11). When someone is having a problem in their lives they do not want to hear harsh words. When someone has lost a loved one, words are able to give comfort. There are certain circumstances where just the right words are needed.

Paul told us to “let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29)

Again, what kind of words do you speak? Words that build up and encourage or words that tear down and destroy. One day you will be judged by your language. Shouldn’t we always try to speak encouraging words?