Most of us grew up hearing and saying such things as “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But then we learn that words do hurt. The truth is words have incredible power to build us up or tear us down.

This is especially true within families. Most people can clearly remember words their parents spoke to them years ago, either positively or negatively. How important is it for parents to bless their children with their words? Neil Chetnik tells in an article in USA Today (June 14, 2001) about the first time he saw his dad cry while they were going through some of his grandfather’s papers. His dad said, “I am crying not only for my father, but also for me. His death means I’ll never hear the words I’ve always wanted to hear from him: that he was proud of me, proud of the family I’d raised and the life I’ve lived.”

Words like “I’m proud of you.” “I love you” and “You are the light of my life” can make such a profound difference in a child’s life. Our words can truly bless and bring great rewards.

Proverbs 18:21 declares, “The tongue has the power of life and death.” We have all seen and experienced words that can destroy, but we also need to realize our words can be used to bring life. The problem in our society is we often wait until after someone’s death to speak words about a person that would give them life.

In the New Testament, the word most often translated as bless is the word from which we get the word eulogy. It means literally “to speak well of” or “to express praise.” When do people present eulogies? It is done only after a person has died. Isn’t it sad that we typically wait until people are gone and unable to hear our words before we speak well of them. We can choose to bless people with our words today in life instead of waiting until death.

To really bless someone with our words goes beyond just thanking them for doing something. When we speak in a way to acknowledge who the person is we tell them they are loved for who they are and not just what they can do.

Your words you speak today have power. How will that power be used? Will they bring life or death? Choose to bring life by thinking and telling someone what you would say about them if you were giving their eulogy. Use your words to bring life.