“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”
– Proverbs 18:21
From my heart to yours. Words carry weight. They can build a life or break a spirit. They can carry the breath of heaven—or the sting of hell. My mother and I shared this in our June women’s Bible study at Covenant Church. We challenged each other to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves: Are my words speaking truth in love—or just noise in the name of righteousness?
Let’s be honest—our world is loud. But as children of God, we are not called to just add to the noise. We are called to speak truth with love, power with humility, and correction with compassion. That’s the heart of spiritual maturity.
1. What Language Are You Speaking?
James 3:9-10 (NIV)
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings… My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
Our words should reflect the Kingdom we represent. Praise and cursing can’t flow from the same mouth. Tone, timing, and truth all matter. If the Holy Spirit had a mic to your mouth, what would He hear?
🟡 Reflection: Is your language full of faith or fear? Grace or gossip? Fire or frustration?
2. Let the Fruit Show in Your Speech
Galatians 5:22–23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
You can’t claim to be Spirit-filled if your mouth is always tearing others down. Fire gives power, but fruit reveals character. We need both. When you speak, does your tone bring peace or stir up strife?
🍇 Challenge: Let your words carry the fruit you claim to walk in.
3. You Don’t Get to Be Mean Just Because You’re Right
James 1:26
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves…”
Truth must always be spoken in love. It’s not just about being right—it’s about being righteous. You may be quoting Scripture, but is your spirit right while you’re saying it?
🗣️ Heart Check: Would Jesus say it the way you’re saying it?
4. Live the Word—Don’t Just Quote It
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says.”
The world doesn’t need more people reciting Scripture—they need women reflecting it. Your life is the loudest sermon your family, coworkers, and followers will hear.
📖 Conviction: Does my life live louder than my posts?
5. Social Media is Not Your Diary
Galatians 6:7-8
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Posting isn’t always testifying. Oversharing personal conflict online doesn’t make you “real”—it may just be reckless. Let’s guard our witness and protect our testimony.
📱 Guideline: If Jesus wouldn’t post it, neither should we.
6. If You Can’t Say Something Nice…
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…”
Not every opinion needs to be spoken. Sometimes the most Spirit-filled response is silence. Maturity is choosing when to stay quiet.
🔕 Discipline: Use your words to lift, not to lash.
7. Fire and Fruit: We Need Both
Acts 2:3–4 + Galatians 5:22–23
On Pentecost, the fire of the Spirit gave boldness. But Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:1—without love, we’re just noise.
🔥 Fire without fruit is chaos.
🍇 Fruit without fire is complacency.
We need both to represent Jesus well. We need the courage to speak truth—and the character to speak it in love.
Closing Questions to Consider:
- How do my words sound to others—and to heaven?
- Am I posting in a way that reflects maturity and honors Christ?
- Do I carry both fruit (character) and fire (power) in my conversations?
Let’s be women who don’t just quote the Word—we live it. Let’s speak with clarity and compassion. Let our homes, our friendships, and even our social media shine with heaven’s tone. And when in doubt, let’s ask:
Is this truth—and am I saying it with love? Remember we are better together.
Allison Bramlett 