Speaking Life: The Power of Our Words

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of the Tongue Directs Our Lives

Our words have the power to shape the direction and destiny of our lives, much like a rudder steers a ship. The tongue, though small, can bring about great blessing or destruction, and while we cannot tame it in our own strength, the Holy Spirit enables us to speak life. Every conversation, whether in moments of tension or peace, has the potential to build up or tear down, and the fruit of our words will be evident in our relationships, families, and futures. [01:46]

James 3:2-10 (ESV)
"For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where your words set the tone—did you steer it toward life or destruction? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you speak words that build up today?

Day 2: What You Fill Your Heart With Shapes Your Words

The words that come out of your mouth are a direct reflection of what you are fueling your heart and mind with. If you fill your inner life with God’s Word, worship, and gratitude, your speech will overflow with encouragement and truth; but if you fill it with negativity, gossip, or harmful influences, your words will reflect that as well. The peace and direction you experience in life are deeply connected to the thoughts you meditate on and the spiritual “fuel” you choose each day. [14:08]

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

Reflection: What is one source of “fuel” (music, media, conversation) you need to replace this week to fill your heart with what is true and praiseworthy?

Day 3: Speak and Declare God’s Promises Over Your Life

Faith is not just believing in your heart but also confessing with your mouth what God has spoken over you. Just as God spoke creation into existence, we are called to declare His promises and truth over our lives, our families, and our circumstances, aligning our confession with His Word and not just our feelings or fears. Speaking God’s Word out loud establishes spiritual reality and sets the course for breakthrough, victory, and destiny. [21:58]

2 Corinthians 4:13 (ESV)
"Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak."

Reflection: What is one promise from God’s Word you need to start declaring over your life or situation today? Write it down and speak it out loud.

Day 4: Use God’s Word to Confront Fear and Speak to Your Mountains

When facing fear, anxiety, or seemingly immovable obstacles, God calls us not to passively accept them but to actively speak His Word to those mountains. By declaring scriptures of faith, peace, and victory, you invite God’s power into your situation and shift your focus from the size of your problem to the greatness of your God. Speaking God’s truth breaks the grip of fear and releases His peace and authority into your heart and circumstances. [28:26]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: Identify a specific fear or obstacle you are facing. What scripture can you declare over it today, and how will you speak to that mountain in faith?

Day 5: Confession of Faith Brings Salvation and Sets Your Destiny

The most powerful confession you can make is to declare Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. This act of faith and open declaration brings salvation, aligns your life with God’s eternal purpose, and sets the rudder of your destiny toward His promises. Every day, your words have the power to agree with God’s truth and move you into the fullness of His plan for your life. [32:11]

Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
"Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Reflection: Have you openly declared Jesus as Lord of your life? If not, what is holding you back from making that confession today? If you have, how can you daily reaffirm this truth in your words and actions?

Sermon Summary

Words have the power to shape the course of our lives, much like a rudder steers a ship. James 3 reminds us that our tongues, though small, can set the direction of our destiny, for better or worse. While it may seem impossible to fully control our words in our own strength, the Holy Spirit offers us the help we need to speak life, encouragement, and truth. Spiritual maturity is marked by a growing ability to align our speech with God’s heart, and this is a journey that requires daily surrender and intentionality.

The words we speak are not just fleeting sounds; they have lasting impact. They can wound or heal, discourage or inspire, tear down or build up. Even after forgiveness and reconciliation, words can linger in the hearts of those who hear them. Jesus himself taught that we will give an account for every idle word, and that our confession is central to our salvation. What we say reveals what fills our hearts, and so we must be vigilant about the “fuel” we allow into our minds and spirits.

To set the course of our lives in a God-honoring direction, three practical steps are essential. First, we must continually invite the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations, praying daily for His help to guard our lips and produce the fruit of self-control, kindness, and gentleness. Second, we need to fuel our hearts with what is good, true, and praiseworthy—filling our minds with God’s Word, worship, and gratitude, rather than negativity or toxic influences. What we meditate on will inevitably shape our words, actions, and ultimately our destiny. Third, we are called to declare what God has spoken over our lives. Faith is not just believing in our hearts, but also confessing with our mouths. When we speak God’s promises over our fears, our families, and our future, we partner with Him to see His purposes fulfilled.

Mountains of fear, anxiety, and broken relationships can seem immovable, but Jesus calls us to speak to these mountains with faith. As we align our words with God’s Word, we invite His power to work in and through us, setting the direction for our lives and the lives of those we love. The most powerful confession we can ever make is to declare Jesus as Lord, believing in our hearts and speaking with our mouths, and in doing so, we step into the destiny God has prepared for us.

Key Takeaways

1. The tongue is a spiritual rudder, steering the direction of our lives. Our words have the power to create or destroy, to bless or curse, and their impact often outlasts the moment they are spoken. Recognizing this, we must approach our speech with humility and a deep sense of responsibility, knowing that our destiny is shaped by what we say. [01:46]
2. True control over our words is not achieved by sheer willpower, but by daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. When we invite Him to guide our conversations, He produces in us the fruit of self-control, kindness, and gentleness, enabling us to speak life even in moments of tension or conflict. This is a continual process, requiring ongoing prayer and dependence on God’s strength rather than our own. [10:02]
3. What fills our hearts will inevitably flow from our mouths. If we meditate on negativity, gossip, or fear, our words will reflect that. But if we intentionally fuel our hearts with God’s Word, worship, and gratitude, our speech will become a source of encouragement, peace, and faith for ourselves and others. The discipline of fixing our thoughts on what is true and praiseworthy is foundational to a transformed life. [14:08]
4. Faith is not silent; it speaks. Spiritual realities are established not just by believing, but by confessing what God has said. When we declare God’s promises over our lives—especially in the face of fear, uncertainty, or opposition—we align ourselves with His purposes and invite His power to move mountains. This is not about wishful thinking, but about agreeing with God’s revealed will and speaking it boldly. [21:58]
5. The most significant confession we can ever make is to declare Jesus as Lord. Salvation is both a matter of the heart and the mouth: we believe and we speak. This principle extends to every area of life—when we speak God’s truth over our families, our fears, and our future, we participate in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Our words, aligned with God’s Word, become instruments of transformation and hope. [32:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:46] - The Power and Danger of the Tongue
[04:28] - Wishing for a 30-Second Rewind
[05:39] - Words That Stick: The Lasting Impact
[07:24] - Words and Salvation: Confession Matters
[10:02] - Inviting the Holy Spirit to Guide Our Speech
[11:13] - Daily Prayer for Guarded Conversation
[12:34] - Fueling Your Heart with Good Things
[14:08] - The Progression from Thoughts to Destiny
[16:26] - The Power of Refueling with Worship
[17:47] - Peace in God’s Presence
[20:20] - Declaring God’s Word Over Your Life
[21:58] - Faith-Filled Confession vs. Negative Reports
[23:26] - Aligning Confession with God’s Word
[25:04] - Speaking to Your Mountains
[28:26] - Speaking God’s Word Over Fear
[30:25] - Declaring God’s Promises Over Family
[32:11] - The Most Important Confession
[32:59] - Invitation to Salvation

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power of Words and the Direction of Our Lives**

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### Bible Reading

- **James 3:1-12** (The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts…)
- **Proverbs 18:21** (“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”)
- **Romans 10:9-10** (“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”)

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### Observation Questions

In James 3, what are some of the images James uses to describe the power of the tongue? How do these images help us understand the impact of our words? [01:46]
According to Proverbs 18:21, what is at stake when we speak? What does it mean that “those who love it will eat its fruit”?
In Romans 10:9-10, what two things are necessary for salvation? Why do you think both the heart and the mouth are mentioned?
The sermon mentioned that words can “stick” and have a lasting impact, even after forgiveness. Can you recall an example from the sermon or your own life where this was true? [05:39]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does James say that no one can tame the tongue, but then encourage us to seek the Holy Spirit’s help? What does this say about our own ability versus God’s power? [10:02]
The sermon talked about fueling our hearts with good things so that our words will reflect God’s heart. What are some practical ways to do this, and why is it so important? [12:34]
The idea of “confession” is central to both salvation and spiritual growth. Why do you think speaking out loud is so significant in the Christian life? [07:24]
The sermon described faith as something that “speaks” and not just believes. How does this challenge the way we usually think about faith? [21:58]

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### Application Questions

Think about a recent conversation where your words either built someone up or tore them down. What was fueling your heart in that moment? How could you have invited the Holy Spirit to guide your words differently? [10:02]
The sermon encouraged us to pray daily, “God, guard my conversation.” What would it look like for you to make this a regular habit? Is there a specific time of day or situation where you especially need this prayer? [11:13]
What are some “fuels” (music, media, conversations, etc.) that you regularly allow into your heart and mind? Are there any you need to limit or replace in order to better align your words with God’s heart? [16:26]
The pastor shared about speaking God’s promises over mountains of fear, anxiety, or broken relationships. Is there a “mountain” in your life right now that you need to start speaking God’s Word over? What specific promise from Scripture could you declare? [26:08]
When was the last time you spoke words of encouragement or blessing over someone in your family or church? How did it affect them—and you? [05:39]
The sermon said, “Faith is not silent; it speaks.” Is there an area of your life where you need to move from silent belief to bold confession? What would that look like this week? [21:58]
The most important confession is declaring Jesus as Lord. If you have already done this, how can you share your story with someone else? If you haven’t, what is holding you back from making that confession? [32:11]

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**Closing Prayer Suggestion:**
Invite the Holy Spirit to help you guard your words, fill your heart with what is good, and give you courage to speak God’s promises over your life and the lives of others.

Sermon Clips

In our flesh, in our own strength, we cannot tame and control the tongue. That's the truth of the word. But by the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us, we can speak life, and we can set a positive direction for our family, our finances, our future, and ultimately our destiny. [00:03:00] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

Words have the ability to create, create hurt and devastation, as well as encouragement and, and life. And so, you know, even though you get forgiveness and you work it out and you kiss and make up and do all that stuff, here's the deal. You might still be quoted months or years later because words stick in a positive way. [00:06:40] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

The Holy Spirit's going to produce a different kind of fruit in your life. It's going to produce fruit like love, joy, peace. Here we go. Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self -control.Does anybody need some of that when you're in the middle of that discussion?Just a little bit of self -control and kindness in our vocabulary and gentleness in our verbiage. [00:09:49] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Fuel your heart with the good stuff. The good stuff is obviously worship, thanksgiving. It's a vocabulary of gratitude. It's clearly the word of God, words of encouragement. You have to fill your heart before it sets your life in a direction through conversation. [00:13:05] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

You can believe all you want, but without confession, no spiritual reality is established.And so faith comes, and you have some abyss in your life. You have a mess. You have confusion, but the state of a lost soul is a spiritual abyss, and the Holy Spirit comes and hovers. [00:21:03] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

It's not enough to go to God and tell them how huge the mountain is. It's not enough to get counseling and therapy about how to live next door to your mountain. There comes a point where you got to speak to it, have to open up your mouth and declare the word of God over that situation in Jesus name. [00:26:50] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Get the word of God in you and begin to speak to those fears. If you wake up in the middle of the night and you can't get back to sleep, quote the one of Proverbs that says, God, you give your beloved sleep and use the word of God to speak to some mountains in your life. [00:29:06] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Because the tongue is a rudder for your life. Life and death.in the power of your conversation. And when I align my life with the power of the word and the Holy Spirit, I begin to move into a destiny that God has called me toward. [00:31:56] (15 seconds) Edit Clip

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, that God raised you from the dead, you'll be saved.For it is by believing in your heart that you're made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. [00:32:26] (17 seconds) Edit Clip

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