As most of you will know, I am of a Nigerian heritage. There are many beautiful and amazing things about being Nigerian but as with any other country, there are also traditions and cultures that are probably best left behind in the past. One such culture is the harsh way in which children are raised. I must say that it has toned down a lot in recent times but evidence of the dark past still emerge from time to time. Most Nigerians my age can bear witness to a terrible culture of speaking harsh words cursing children in a desperate bid to get them to change their behaviour. However, unbeknown to these parents, they are making pronouncements that end up catching up with their kids. 
Satan understands the power of the tongue and whenever we curse, we inadvertently invoke spirits that gain entrance into people’s lives. Some examples of these curses are phrases like: “You are just like your father”; “you are an idiot”; “useless child”, “you will never amount to anything”; “big for nothing”; “mumu”; “olodo” etc. And these are supposed to be a form of tough love?
There is the power of life and death in the tongue. It can be used to build up or destroy people. Parents in particular should take heed lest their children end up paying the consequences of what was pronounced over them often in a moment of anger. The usual justification is that such rebuke is necessary for correction and is done out of love for the child! If God treated us like that for our shortcomings, I doubt we would call that love.
Before we utter words that may negatively impact people’s lives, let’s pause and reflect on what the consequences may be for that person. These words create an entrance for the devil to erect strongholds that cause the cursed person to believe those lies to be true. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that can only be pulled down by deliverance (2 Corinthians 10:5). Hurtful words and curses can wound people so deeply that they end up with a propensity to fail from a lack of self-confidence deeply instilled from their childhood.
On the contrary, we can use our tongues to bless people and build them up into who God has called them to be (1 Peter 3:10). If you’re suffering from the effects of harsh words and curses spoken into your life from childhood, Christ can set you free today. You’re not a loser or failure. You’re not inadequate either. God has given you a future filled with good plans. Tame your tongue or it will end up taming you! Let’s purpose in our hearts to use our tongues for good from this day forth.
Related articles
- The Tongue. (hscraig.wordpress.com)
- Tame the Tongue (psalm115.wordpress.com)
- Tame Your Tongue (pttyann2.wordpress.com)
I’m so much in agreement with u ‘cos the bible said that with the mouth confession is made. Mt. 12 vs. 37 said – by your words thou shall be justified and by it also condemnation comes. It’s imperative that we speak life into our destiny and that of our wards ‘cos it’s confessing the right things that will instigate the manifestation of our God ordained destiny. More release of the unction to function upon you. You’re just 2 good for this. Check the next level cos u’re there already.
Beautiful. Important reminders here. I think I’ll print this one out … .thanks.
Thanks Watchman, this is a somewhat overlooked area that a lot of believers may have underestimated the impact of.
The way we use our tongues affect our spiritual purity. So cursing for instance makes it hypocritical to use that tongue and bless GOD (which is the primary purpose for which we have tongues). Of course there is repentance, thank GOD.
But cultivating (it’s not instantaneous) a lifestyle of pure speech means you can closer to GOD, because HE inhabits the Praise of HIS People.
Also aside from not speaking negatively, we should also cultivate the habit of speaking positively! comfort, compliment and encourage people as sincerely and often as possible. Especially people that we may have spiritual authority over,not only parents, but husbands over wives and so on…
Good post!
Thanks so much for your encouraging words sunny. There is no doubt in my mind that words can absolutely shape one’s destiny. Your scripture references only serve to strengthen that truth. I’m grateful for your kind words and also pray that God will exceed your expectations this year and birth the seed of promise in you.
Thanks warrioress. I’m glad you were blessed by this.
Thanks for your contribution Toyin. I think its so key especially in these times when most things around us are luring us to use our tongues in ways that do not glorify God. James describes it in chapter 3 of his book by saying that fresh and polluted water cannot both flow from the same fountain. If we cannot display our love for our fellow brothers with our tongues then like you said, its absolutely hypocritical to claim that we love God and praise Him with the very same tongues! Thanks bro
Wonderfiul blog Watchman.
Toyin, you are right we should always remember not to use the same tongue we use to bless God to curse or speak negatively.
We must always be quick to encourage one another no matter how unimportant or awkward we ‘think’ it may be. Encouraging and positive words can have a long and lasting impact on a persons life, so can a curse or negative word. I am currently reading a book by Derek Prince called ‘Blessings and Curses’, which highlights very clearly the power of words.
Remain blessed and be a blessing!
Thanks for ur input Nnamdi. That’s an amazing book you’re reading by the way. It takes like 12 positive words to negate the effect of one positive word! The impact like you pointed out is definitely lasting.