“Don’t repeat this, but…” “Wait ‘till you hear what I heard at the water cooler this morning…” “So, what’s the latest juicy gossip on…?” “Man, the boss is such a jerk. He should be fired…”  Do any of these phrases sound familiar? We hear gossip, backbiting, and criticism every day, and most people take it in stride. We’ve become so accustomed to it that we don’t give it a second thought, but the truth is that this type of talk is highly destructive. God gave us a mouth, a tongue, and vocal chords, and studying the Bible teaches us how to use them correctly.

We may think a little bit of juicy gossip is harmless and entertaining, but words used the wrong way can be weapons. God blessed us with the power of speech, and He intended for us to use it for good. He gave us a choice on how to use our mouth, and unfortunately, we make the wrong choice when we use it for evil. “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:5-10, NKJV).

In families, we see that the power of speech works either for good or for evil. Parents who constantly tell their children they’re worthless, dumb, and no-good will eventually see them become what is spoken over them. Parents who speak life over their children, constantly encouraging and affirming them while pointing out their good qualities, will see them flourish and excel. The words husbands and wives speak to one another have a profound effect on each other and the marriage relationship. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).

At work, we can use what God gave us to either build others up or tear them down. Badmouthing the people we don’t like, attacking someone’s character to discredit them, or lying to get that big promotion may be implicitly accepted at some organizations, but it’s displeasing to God. This is one of the challenges Christians face when attempting to live in the world without becoming contaminated by it. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).

Most people don’t realize how powerful their words are. God spoke the entire universe into existence with the authority of His words (Genesis 1:1-25), and we have the same authority over what we say. We can bring to pass either something evil, or something good. What will your choice be?