A Super Hero’s Life – Part 2 

By Jenniffer Mann

Last week we started to explore the power of words and how impactful they can be, on our general well-being. If we want to live the life of a superhero, where we can use the power of words to positively affect the life of others, it is within our gift to do so. So, what does the Bible have to say about the power of words? 

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24 

Our words are a reflection of who we are. How we think and perceive the world around us. When we speak words of kindness, we find nourishment for our soul 

Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

Proverbs 11:17 

An essential component of a healthy physical, mental and spiritual life, is training ourselves to address others in way that demonstrates respect, humility and gentleness. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1

When John refers to Jesus as “the Word,” he speaks of the Word that was made flesh, and came to live among us (John 1:14).  There is a great deal that could be said on this alone but consider that This Word, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ, is epitomised by love, purity, kindness, grace, humility, truth and the more. This word, is our guide and example of how we should speak to and interact with each other! 

Every positive word we read, write or speak could have a very direct influence on our physical body.  Japanese scientist, Masaru Emoto performed experiments on frozen water in the late 1990’s and tested the crystallization of the frozen water through the use of positive and negative verbiage. To one group of water, he spoke negative words and phrases, and to the other he spoke positive words and phrases. After a period of time, the negative group produced ugly, cloudy crystal formations, while the positive group produced clear, beautiful crystals. The point of the study was to demonstrate the power of words and their impact on how living things are transformed.

Some of us are in the habit of using negative words or phrases over and over again. The more we use and hear words or phrases, the more it becomes normal and the more power it has over us, thus the more it shapes us. Think about the times you have been around a person, that is always negative in their speech? Does your body feel energized from those interactions or drained and exhausted? Exactly! Words – have power over your physical body.

It’s also important to recognise that sometimes, we are the one responsible for sabotaging our own physical, mental and spiritual development with the use of negative words.  If we get into the habit of constant self-deprecation in our internal dialogue, the power of words has the exact same effect as when spoken by others. Telling ourselves that we are ugly, fat, weak, worthless, stupid or not good enough drains you of the positive mental energy we need, to effect positive outcomes.

You may be the person trying to lose weight but spend all day telling yourself that you’re too fat to make it happen, the likelihood is you will continue to eat unhealthy. However, imagine absorbing positive literature, being around positive people and encouraging yourself to make positive choices. The outcome, is likely, to be a positive one.

Imagine if your speech and interactions with others left them with the overarching impression that you are loving and kind. Wouldn’t that be something!  In Proverbs 18:4 we read that a person’s words can be “life-giving water” and in Ephesians 4.  

I want you to challenge yourself this week, to see how many interactions you can have before something negative in how you address another, creeps into your speech. Where that does happen, ask God to reveal to you why. It may be, that you have a character flaw that you need help in overcoming.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29  

Let’s Pray

Father, may my words and interactions with others only serve to highlight the love, grace and mercy you bestow upon me, each and every day.

This Week’s Song of Encouragement