Power of Words
- traceyoakey
- Jul 1
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 3
In the beginning of creation in Genesis 1, describes the creative acts of God. God emphasizing the absolute power of his spoken word. This illustrates the belief that God’s spoken word has the power and authority to command, to bring things into existence to life. God’s word has majestic, creative power. Our heavenly Father, created the universe through speech.
“And God said, “Let there be light,”
and there was light.
(Genesis 1:3)
There is a beautiful line in (Psalm 119:105) - “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”. It’s a powerful metaphor of God’s word providing guidance, clarity, and direction in life to each step we take. This suggests that when our path ahead is not clear or difficult, God’s word offers up a light of hope for us to take the next step with confidence, faith and assurance. God’s word brings guidance and wisdom.
Ezekiel 37 in the Old Testament is one of the most powerful, visual and symbolic chapter in the bible. This scripture refers to the “Valley of Dry Bones.” The prophet Ezekiel, is encouraged by the spirit of the Lord, to open his mouth and to prophesy to the dry bones, that God will make breath enter them and they will come to life. Consider areas in your own life that feel “dry” or hopeless.
God asks Ezekiel “Can these bones live?” and then instructs Ezekiel to prophesy over the dry bones that lay before him. A deeply symbolic questions, that invites not only Ezekiel, but all of us too to consider the power of belief in God’s power to speak life where there is none. How many times has God asked us to speak into impossible situations of hopelessness or despair?
The passage of Ezekiel 37 invites us to believe that God can restore what seems dead. We can pray for spiritual renewal, asking God’s breath (Ruach) to breathe new life into hopeless situations. By Faith, we trust that restoration is possible -even when circumstances seem dire. Hope is restored through the transformation power of God’s word, by His Spirit. The words we speak matters – both to ourselves and to others, as they carry immense spiritual and emotional weight. They shape our beliefs, our influence our actions, and create the atmosphere in which we live, when our speech aligns with God’s truth.
Throughout scripture we are encouraged and instructed by our Creator -our Father in heaven, to use our words wisely and constructively. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” Our words carry power and meaning: they can either pull down or lift up the world around us. They have the ability to build or demolish, to heal or hurt, to bless or curse.
(Proverbs 18:21) says,
“The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruits”
The phrase uses the metaphor of a tree that produces either good or bad fruit. In this context, the “fruit” represents the outcomes or consequence of our words. Just as a tree bears fruit according to its nature, our words produce results -either life giving or soul destroying.
The words we speak carry the power to create life or bring destruction. Our words shape the atmosphere around us and influence the people we interact with. The “fruit” we eat is the result of what we’ve spoken – whether it nourishes or poisons our relationships, our environment, community, and even our own hearts.
The truth applies to every sphere of influence we are placed in – family, friendships, workplaces, churches, and communities. When we speak from a platform of wisdom, grace, and truth, we sow good seeds that will bear much fruit. But careless, throwaway comments can leave lasting damage.
When we speak, we are sowing seeds that will eventually bear fruit in our lives and in the lives of others. This highlights the immense power when we use our words to either uplift or destroy. We are ultimately accountable to God in the things we say or do. We have to give account for our actions. This is a reminder of the importance of speech and the consequences this can hold over ourselves or on others.
The words we speak have creative power, as seen in (Genesis 1:26): Then God said, “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness”. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the spoken word of God. God speaks, and it comes into reality. Through the empowerment of being created in God’s image, we also carry a mandate of authority, power, stewardship, and the ability to shape reality – bringing life, hope, and transformation by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Our Senior Partner.
Our words go far beyond simply conveying information. Whether we’re delivering an inspiring 10-point sermon or having a casual conversation, with friends, or family. Our words have impact on others deeply. Among all the creatures on earth, we are the only human beings uniquely gifted with the ability to communicate through ‘spoken language’. This is a unique, wonderful, powerful gift from God. We have the capacity to speak, express, encourage, and build up. This is a reflection of being made in the very image of our creator God – the one who spoke creation into existence.
Paul, in the New Testament, encourages us not to let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs (Ephesians 4:29). Paul’s message is very clear: our words should promote, strengthen, and uplift – bringing life, not death.
The Greek word translated as “unwholesome” means “rotten” or “foul,” refers to decayed fruit or vegetables. This imagery emphasizes the corrupting nature of harmful speech. Disruptive words damage the flow of the heart and relationships.
God’s holy Word reminds us that “unwholesome” speech has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus. Christ calls us to renounce such habits through renouncing, repentance, and by seeking His forgiveness. Every word we speak—or even think—should be transformed and replaced with what is wholesome, life-giving, and aligned with His truth. As we commit to following Jesus, our speech becomes a reflection of His grace, love, and holiness.
Our conversations should be characterized but what is helpful for building others up. To be a blessing to those we interact with daily. Rather than speaking falsehood, we are encouraged to speak truth in love.
“Let your speech always be gracious,
seasoned with salt,
so that you may know how you
ought to respond to each person.”
(Colossians 4:6)
We are called to emulate and imitate the example of Jesus, whose words were always filled with truth, grace, and mercy. His speech brought healing, hope, and restoration, and our speech should do the same.
“From out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”
(Matt 12:34)
The words we speak reveal the true condition of our hearts. If our heart is filled with love, truth, and grace, our speech will naturally reflect those qualities. But if our hearts are filled with bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, that too will be evident in the way we speak.
Can we be righteous on the outside while remaining corrupt on the inside? Absolutely not! This scripture challenges us to examines the condition of our hearts, not just through our actions, but through the very words we utter. Our speech is a mirror reflecting our inner self.
The words we speak carry both authority and the potential for transformation. When we speak from a posture of faith and hope, aligned with God’s will, our words are infused with divine power and authority through the Holy Spirit.
Our speech has the ability to shift and transform spiritual atmospheres. Transformation begins the moment we choose to speak life – not only over ourselves, but also over others and into the situations around us.
When we speak, mountains tremble.
When we bless, hearts are healed.
Our voices shape the unseen,
for what is hidden in secret,
is then revealed.
Within the deep chambers of our hearts,
within the sacred texts of scriptures,
our words are clothed with power and strength.
They lift, they cleanse, they inspire.
Our posture to speak with bold compassion.
Let truth and grace abound.
Let every word that is uttered
be touched by the
Divine!
“The Voice Within”
Written by
Tracey Oakey
Whose voice is speaking over you - spiritually?
Is it a voice that truly and deeply reflects who you are in a meaningful and life-giving way? Or, is it a voice that leaves you feeling depleted, discouraged, and detached from the life around you? Don't go where you are merely tolerated, go where you are celebrated. Go where you are respected, honoured and loved. In (Matthew 10:14), Jesus tells his disciples that if a town or household does not receive or listen to their message, they should leave. This signifies that the disciples are not responsible for the rejection or misunderstanding of others.
These questions invite us to pause and reflect on the influences shaping and moulding our identity, our thoughts, and our sense of worth. Are we listening to the echo of fear -or the whisper of faith?
There is one voice that truly matters: the voice of Jesus. Jesus does not speak over us with condemnation, but with truth, love, tenderness, and compassion. He does not speak with shame or guilt, but with significance and purpose.
When Jesus speak over us as the beloved, the chosen and the redeemed, it is the reverberation of heaven, moulding, renewing, and transforming us into His likeness.
So again - whose voice are we listening to?
The words we speak over ourselves carry deep significance. They are not just expressions, they are affirmations, declarations, and often self-fulfilling prophecies. Our words can align with either truth or fear.
When we speak negatively over ourselves, saying things like “I’ll never be that” or “I can’t do this,” we may begin to live out those beliefs. But when we choose to say, “I am growing," "I am learning,” “I am enough,” we align ourselves with the truth of how God sees us, which will align to your nurture growth and strengthens self-worth, which reflects the transforming power of God’s perspective in how He sees you.
“Let the weak say, I am strong.”
(Joel 3:10)
The way we talk about ourselves often reveals our subconscious belief and thought patterns that shape our identity in who we are. When we speak, we invite the power of language -positive or negative - into our lives and the lives of those around us.
Words of affirmation are powerful tools that can re-wire, re-shape, re-ignite both our inner and outer worlds. In a spiritual context, using affirmations is like planting seeds in the garden of our soul. Through repetition and belief, those seeds begin to grow – blossoming into thoughts, feelings, and actions that shape the life we live.
Our inner world plays a vital role in transforming how we see ourselves. It enables us to shift limiting beliefs, silence negative self-talk, and cultivate a culture of confidence, clarity, and acceptance of our true identity.
As our mindset changes, so does our behaviour – especially in how we relate to others. This inner transformation begins to shape our outer world. Positive thinking and a renewed perspective can attract new opportunities, foster healthier relationships, and align us more deeply with peace and purpose.
In this alignment – with our creator God, with Jesus, and those around us, we find wholeness. The Holy Spirit becomes the powerful wind in our sails, guiding us toward new horizons of possibility. His power untethers us from the past and releases us into a bright, hope-filled future. Words matter!
Take away…
The words we speak—both to ourselves and to others—carry immense spiritual and emotional weight. They shape our beliefs, influence our actions, and create the atmosphere in which we live. When we align our speech with God’s truth, we invite transformation, healing, and purpose into our lives and those around us.
By nurturing our inner world through affirmations rooted in Scripture and faith, we begin to see lasting change in our outer world. Our relationships grow healthier, our confidence deepens, and our path becomes clearer. The Holy Spirit empowers us, guiding us like a steady tiller on a boat, steering us towards new horizons filled with hope and divine possibility.
So let us choose to speak the language of the 'Kingdom of God' – words of life, truth, and grace—over ourselves, over others, and over every situation. In doing so, we partner with God in shaping a future that reflects His word, His love, power, and His purpose.
Speak life!
Live transformed!
Walk in truth!
Let’s pray…
Heavenly Father,
thank you for the gift of your word –
that is alive, powerful and full of truth.
Today, I choose to align my heart,
my thoughts, my speech with your Kingdom.
Let my words reflect your love,
carry your truth, and release your grace.
Help me to speak life over myself –
over others,
and into every situation I encounter.
May my voice echo yours -
bringing healing where there is hurt,
hope where there is despair,
and peace where there is chaos.
Jesus, I desire to partner with you in
shaping
a future that reflects your word,
your love, your power, and your purpose.
Use me today as a vessel of encouragement,
a light in dark places, and a messenger of your heart.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
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