The Power of My Words: When to Speak, When to Be Silent, and How It Changed My Life

I used to think that speaking my mind was always the right thing to do—after all, honesty is the best policy, right? But lately, as I’ve been soaking in God’s presence, I’ve been learning something different: sometimes, the most powerful thing I can do is close my mouth. Other times, my words hold the key to unlocking blessings I didn’t even know were waiting for me.

Two distinct moments brought this realization to light for me. The first was when I had been overly harsh with a friend. Although I felt justified at the time, I later realized I had been unnecessarily critical. The second moment was with a friend who had supported me during a difficult period, even covering the cost of therapy. She had invited me to ask for help if I needed it, but when I reached out to her for further assistance, she shamed me and made me feel ungrateful. The way things ended left me heartbroken, and I never fully understood why. Instead of addressing it, I held on to the hurt in silence.

And that silence weighed on me for a long time. I thought ignoring it meant I had moved on, but instead, I found myself carrying it in the background of my heart. That’s when I came across Psalm 32:3:

"When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long."

That verse made me realize that sometimes, silence doesn’t bring peace—it brings misery. Keeping things bottled up, whether pain, regret, or even forgiveness, doesn’t free us. It burdens us.

So, I finally spoke—to a couple of them, and to God. I released the weight of unspoken words, and in doing so, I felt lighter. In some other cases though, I didn’t need a conversation to find closure; I needed to surrender it to God. We always do.

The Power of a Closed Mouth.

The book of Proverbs says, “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent” (Proverbs 17:28). It’s easy to assume that our words always bring clarity, but sometimes, they only add fuel to the fire. I’ve learned that in moments of frustration, I don’t always need to have the last word. If I feel the urge to defend myself, to explain, or to prove a point, I stop and ask: Is this helpful? Will this bring peace?

Not saying certain things has saved me from unnecessary drama more times than I can count. And beyond that, I’ve seen the wisdom in stepping back and allowing God to work in situations where my words could have made things worse.

The Power of an Open Mouth.

On the other hand, keeping quiet when God is calling me to speak is just as dangerous. Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), and if I’m not intentional about speaking life over myself and my loved ones, I’m missing out on the power God has given me.

I realized this when I started declaring God’s promises over my life. Instead of just thinking about what I wanted to see, I began to speak it out loud—releasing blessings, decreeing God’s faithfulness, and aligning my words with His Word.

And something shifted.

I began to feel lighter. Stronger. More in tune with the authority God has given me. Instead of dwelling on what was wrong, I started proclaiming what was right—God’s provision, His healing, His direction. And slowly, I saw things change.

A Challenge for You.

If you’re reading this, I want to challenge you:

1. Practice the power of silence – This week, before responding to anything emotionally, pause. Ask yourself, Does this need to be said? Sometimes, wisdom is letting God fight your battles instead of using words as weapons.

2. Speak life intentionally – Every morning, say something positive over yourself and those around you. Start with something simple, like: “I am loved, I am chosen, and today is filled with God’s goodness.” If you’re a parent, speak life over your children. If you’re a leader, speak encouragement over those you serve. We can speak over our parents, siblings, friends and even the cities we live in.

3. Release words of forgiveness – Is there something you’ve been holding inside that is slowly wearing you down? Maybe today is the day to say, “I forgive,” even if the other person never hears it. Let your words free you.

4. Watch what changes – I promise, you’ll start noticing a difference in your heart, your relationships, and even the way you see yourself.

At the end of the day, our words aren’t just sounds—they’re seeds. They plant something in the spiritual and emotional atmosphere of our lives. I’m learning that if I want a harvest of peace, wisdom, and blessing, I have to be careful about what I’m planting.

So, what will you speak today?

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