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Feb.09.07: Light for the Day - "Words have Power"
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-- Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.’" -- Luke 11:28 He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it." -- Proverbs 16:23-24 23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips. 24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Good words are worth much and cost little. My words fly up, my thoughts remain below, Words, without thoughts, never to Heaven go. -- Shakespeare ................. Words have power. The childhood phrase, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me," simply isn't true. Words can hurt. They wound -- sometimes deeply. But words can also reward, build self-esteem, create friendships, give hope, and render a blessing. Words can heal and drive accomplishment. Watch what you say today! Your words can produce happiness or sorrow, life or death. -- GLDB We should be as careful of our words as of our actions, and as far from speaking ill as from doing ill. -- Cicero It is with a word as with an arrow: the arrow once loosed does not return to the bow; nor a word to the lips. -- Abdel-Kader What you keep by you may change and mend; but words once spoken can never be recalled. -- Roscommon Men who have much to say use the fewest words. -- H.W.Shaw Words are not as satisfactory as we should like them to be, but, like our neighbors, we have got to live with them and must make the best and not the worst of them. -- Samuel Butler The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words. -- Philip K. Dick You can stroke people with words. -- F. Scott Fitzgerald All my life I've looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time. -- Ernest Hemingway Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind. -- Rudyard Kipling Truthful words may not beautiful; Beautiful words may not truthful. Good words may not persuasive; Persuasive words may not good. -- Lao-Tzu In fact, words are well adapted for description and the arousing of emotion, but for many kinds of precise thought other symbols are much better. -- J. B. S. Haldane The supply of words in the world market is plentiful but the demand is falling. Let deeds follow words now. -- L.W. -- Matthew 12:36-37 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned. -- Luke 5:1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around Him and listening to the Word of God. -- John 1:1-3; 3:11-12,34; 7:17; 10:25; 16:3 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1:2 He was with God in the beginning. 1:3 Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. 3:11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 3:12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the Words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own. 10:25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in My Father’s name speak for Me. 16:13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you things to come. -- Acts 4:31; 12:24; 13:44,48 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. 12:24 But the Word of God continued to increase and spread. 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the Word of the Lord. 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the Word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. -- Romans 9:1; 15:18-19 9:1 I speak the truth in Christ -- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit. 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient -- 15:19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. -- 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 6 However, we do use wisdom to speak to those who are mature. It is a wisdom that doesn’t belong to this world or to the rulers of this world who are in power today and gone tomorrow. 7 We speak about the mystery of God’s wisdom. It is a wisdom that has been hidden, which God had planned for our glory before the world began. -- 2 Corinthians 2:17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. -- 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 13 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. 13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe. -- Ephesians 5:19-20 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage -- with great patience and careful instruction. -- James 1:19-20,26; 2:12-13 1:19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 1:20 for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 1:26 If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 2:13 Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! -- James 3:2-10 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. -- 1 Peter 3:10, 16-17 10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech." 16 Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. -- 1John 4:1-6 1 Dear friends, don’t believe all people who say that they have the Spirit. Instead, test them. See whether the spirit they have is from God, because there are many false prophets in the world. 2 This is how you can recognize God’s Spirit: Every person who declares that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh has the Spirit that is from God. 3 But every person who doesn’t declare that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh has a spirit that isn’t from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist that you have heard is coming. That spirit is already in the world. 4 Dear children, you belong to God. So you have won the victory over these people, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 These people belong to the world. That’s why they speak the thoughts of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We belong to God. The person who knows God listens to us. Whoever doesn’t belong to God doesn’t listen to us. That’s how we can tell the Spirit of truth from the spirit of lies. -- Exodus 20:1 And God spoke all these Words: -- Numbers 24:16 This is the message of the one who hears the Words of God, receives knowledge from the Most High, has a vision from the Almighty, and falls into a trance with his eyes open: -- Joshua 3:9 Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the Words of the LORD Your God. -- 2 Samuel 7:28 O Sovereign LORD, You are God! Your Words are trustworthy, and You have promised these good things to Your servant. -- Psalms 18:30; 34:13; 37:30;120:2; 119:11,104-105,172; 145:21 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him. 34:13 Keep your tongue from saying evil things and your lips from speaking deceitful things. 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice. 120:2 Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues. 119:11 I treasure Your Word in my heart, so that I may not sin against You. 119:104 From Your guiding principles I gain understanding. That is why I hate every path that leads to lying. 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 119:172 May my tongue sing of Your Word, for all Your Commands are righteous. 145:21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all living creatures will praise His holy name forever and ever. -- Proverbs 10:19; 12:17-19; 13:2-3; 15:4; 17:27; 18:21; 20:15; 21:23; 23:15-16; 25:11-12,15; 28:23; 31:8-9 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. 12:17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully. 12:18 Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 13:2 From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the unfaithful have a craving for violence. 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. 15:4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. 17:27 Whoever has knowledge controls his words, and a person who has understanding is even–tempered. 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own Words. 20:15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. 23:15 My son, if you have a wise heart, my heart will glad as well. 23:16 My heart rejoices when you speak what is right. 25:11 Like golden apples in silver settings, so is a word spoken at the right time. 25:12 Like a gold ring and a fine gold ornament, so is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens. 25:15 With patience you can persuade a ruler, and a soft tongue can break bones. 28:23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery. 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 31:9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. -- Job 21:1-3; 27:4-6; 27:4-6; 32:6-9; 33:14-17 21:1 Then Job replied to his friends, 21:2 "Listen carefully to my words, and let that be the comfort you offer me. 21:3 Bear with me while I speak. Then after I’ve spoken, you may go on mocking. 27:4 my lips will not say anything wrong, and my tongue will not mumble anything deceitful. 27:5 It’s unthinkable for me to admit that you are right. Until I breathe my last breath, I will never give up my claim of integrity. 27:6 I cling to my righteousness and won’t let go. My conscience won’t accuse me as long as I live." 32:6 So Elihu, son of Barachel, the descendant of Buz, replied to Job, "I am young, and you are old. That’s why I refrained from speaking and was afraid to tell you what I know. 32:7 I thought, ‘Age should speak, and experience should teach wisdom.’ 32:8 However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 32:9 People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don’t understand what justice is merely because they’re old." 33:14 "God speaks in one way, even in two ways without people noticing it: 33:15 In a dream, a prophetic vision at night, when people fall into a deep sleep, when they sleep on their beds, 33:16 He opens people’s ears and terrifies them with warnings. 33:17 He warns them to turn away from doing wrong and to stop being pride. -- Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. -- Song of Solomon 4:11 Your lips drip honey, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your clothing is like the fragrance of Lebanon. -- Isaiah 1:10 Hear the Word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! -- Jeremiah 15:16; 30:2 15:16 When Your Words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O LORD God Almighty. 30:2 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: "Write in a Book all the Words I have spoken to you." |