Words kill; words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Proverbs 18:21 (The Message).
It’s time to eliminate some words from our vocabulary. We are shooting ourselves in the feet and burning the bridge in front of us before we ever see it. Words are powerful; they will take us where we don’t want to go and leave us stuck in a place with no way out.
In James 3, the Bible says that your tongue is the rudder of your life, so perhaps we should get rid of some specific words and phrases. This is not a name-it-claim-it theology but a brass-tacks biblical mindset that can take you from defeat to victory.
Sometimes, we should keep our mouths shut, but other times we need to speak life to open doors and build bridges. The choice is yours: Bite your tongue today or eat your words tomorrow.
Words are compelling, and they can — no, they will — determine our mindset, attitude, and our future. If we live by our words and our lives are damaged or multiplied by those words, shouldn’t we be more careful what comes out of our mouths? So here’s a challenge for you: Delete these words from your vocabulary and watch the change in your mindset, attitude, and perspective.
It’s often easier to keep your mouth shut than to corral your brain, so begin the process of changing your mind by building better habits with your words. It’s a mindset shift, and it won’t happen overnight. But if you start to practice this, you’ll catch yourself. Start with one or two words on the list and consciously remove them from your vocabulary. Be intentional in replacing them. The next time you want to say “I can’t,” think of another way that you can, then speak it out. When you want to quit, tell yourself, “I will try again.” Instead of saying it’s impossible, find a sliver of hope.
In other words, when your brain tells you one thing, say another. In that way, you will retrain your brain. Your words can change the world. Your words can change your world. Your words can change your life.
Indeed, your words are products of your thoughts, so watching your thoughts are your first line of defense. But that’s another story, and you can read about that here.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21
Think about it:
- There is power in words. What you say is what you get. Zig ZiglarThink twice before you speak because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another. ~Napoleon Hill.
- Words are containers for power, you choose what kind of power they carry. ~Joyce Meyer.
- I am, two of the most powerful words. For what you put after them shapes your reality. ~Joel Osteen.
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Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny. ~Ghandi.
In Isaiah, God says, “my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
So here’s a question for you: What are your words accomplishing? Think about it.
Be intentional. Start today. Remember, it’s a process, so keep this list on your mirror, car, desk, or pocket.