Some of the most positive experiences of my life have rested on words of encouragement or help. Each time I benefit from the positive words of others, I’m more motivated than ever before to use my words in an uplifting way.

Notice these verses that tell us some of the positive influences our words can have:

1. Positive Words Give Instruction and Wisdom

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:—Proverbs 1:8

The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.—Proverbs 10:31

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.—Proverbs 15:2

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.—Proverbs 16:23

2. Positive Words Give Direction

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.—Proverbs 19:20

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.—Proverbs 27:9

3. Positive Words Praise the Lord

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.—Psalm 34:1

O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.—Psalm 51:15

4. Positive Words Encourage Others

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.—Proverbs 25:11

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!—Proverbs 15:23

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary…—Isaiah 50:4

5. Positive Words Are Pleasant and Appropriate

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.—Proverbs 10:32

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.—Proverbs 15:26

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.—Proverbs 16:24

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.—Proverbs 31:26

6. Positive Words Facilitate Healing

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.—Proverbs 10:11

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.—Proverbs 15:4

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.—Proverbs 12:18

7. Positive Words Bring Security and Truth

Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?—Proverbs 22:20–21

This is the power of our tongue! If we will learn to choose our words carefully and wisely, we can positively invest in the lives of others—just with simple words.

This article is an excerpt from the book The Choice Is Yours available from Striving Together Publications.