YOUR WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO EITHER BUILD OR TO DESTROY

Words have power to either build up or to destroy. Satan is real. Spiritual warfare is real. Satan’s primary objective is to oppose God’s will and create chaos among people.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” —Ephesians 6:12. 

Satan’s tactics are subtle but powerful and we better be able to discern what is happening. One of his most effective methods is sowing seeds of division among God’s people. Division is Satan’s tool to weaken the church’s witness in the world and to disrupt its mission. By causing division and discord, he diverts attention from God’s work and focuses on internal strife. 

 Scripture warns about Satan’s nature and we better take heed. “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace” —1 Corinthians 14:33

 1 Corinthians 14:33 highlights the contrast between God’s order and Satan’s chaos. Satan thrives in hostile and negative environments where there is confusion and disarray, as these conditions are fertile ground for the enemy’s manipulative and evil schemes. He creates situations that lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and all kinds of conflict, all aimed at destabilizing whole families as well as the unity of God’s people. 

A fundamental strategy of Satan is to create discord and division by inciting God’s people to turn on one another. He exploits human weaknesses, such as pride, jealousy and resentment, to create rifts and factions. Galatians 5:15 warns us: “If you bite and devour each other, watch out, or you will be destroyed by each other.” 

It is essential to recognize Satan’s presence in situations of disunity. “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice” —James 3:16.

Family disputes, internal office staff disputes and competition with jealousy, to seeking ways to gain control for selfish ambition will end in disaster. 

Speaking negatively about family in front of children damages their emotional security, causes high stress, misplaced emotions and defiles their ears, while teaching them unhealthy communication habits. Children internalize criticism and can be damaged for a lifetime by negative words.  

Hearing bad things about family members causes kids to feel trapped and to choose one person over another instead of developing lasting, godly relationships. They tend to find someone to always be angry with because they’ve grown to feel that it’s a normal family dynamic—it’s not! They feel pressure to take sides, and hide their love for family members based on gossip and hearsay. 

When adults attack each other, children feel a lack of stability, and can become anxious about their own safety. Children imitate how they see adults handle conflict. Hearing insults or heated conversation teaches them to use disrespect and gossip, while sabotaging their own future relationships. Whole families and legacy can be destroyed through evil communication.  

Gossip is an extremely dangerous sin. It can cause a young adult to choose the exact opposite of what they need in a relationship, even a spouse, based on trying to escape the same possible threat of what they’ve experienced. It’s not normal to sabotage relationships and family members. 

Fostering a spirit of unity and understanding within church and family is a powerful way to counteract division. Resist the enemy and he will flee. 

The next time you think about opening your mouth with a loose tongue, think on this. Gossip and slander destroys oneness. A loose tongue sows division. The gossip and slanderer privately attack their brothers and sisters and murder reputations and entire organizations. They attack sheep Jesus paid for with His blood. They just do it privately around tables to phone calls and meetings—they are Christianity without love. 

God takes your words very seriously. Every person will stand before God and give account for their own life.  Choose to walk in holiness and truth with love and respect!  Learn to “walk by the Spirit.” 

HIS love and mine, 

Deborah Starczewski