We recently had Ted and Nancie Lowe with us at Grace Fellowship. Ted spoke about the power of words and said God has hardwired our brains (our heart & mind) so that words matter!   I couldn’t agree more.

If we want to speak in a way that honors God and builds others up, I believe we need to rewire our brains (hearts & minds) by allowing God to renew us from the inside out by submitting to Him and His Word.

I was a science teacher at one point, and loved doing experiments.  In one experiment,  students had to figure out how to get a gas (that was heavier than oxygen) out of a test tube without inverting the test tube.  The answer was simple: put something in the test tube that’s more solid than the gas.  They had to fill the test tube with water or another liquid to force the gas out.

In the same way, if I want to remove the junk that’s settled in my mind over years of wrong thinking and sinful habits, I need something solid to force it out and replace it.  The Word of God is the one thing that can remove and replace the junk that’s been stored in my mind.  However, for God to do His work in me, I have to submit to Him and His Word.  Knowledge of God’s Word alone isn’t what’s required; I must also submit to it to experience the life-changing power of God in order to renew my mind.

Here are a few passages that came to mind.

Jesus said: “But what people say with their mouths comes from the way they think; these are the things that make people unclean.” Matthew 15:18 NCV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12 NIV

How can a young person keep their life pure? By living according to your word. I trust in you with all my heart. Don’t let me wander away from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart so that I won’t sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 NIrV

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.   Philippians 4:8 NLT

Lord, help me control my tongue; help me be careful about what I say. Psalm 141:3 NCV

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23 NASB

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV