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The Weight of Your Words: Measuring the Impact of What You Say
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me? This lie has been taught to children for years. We claim it strengthens them. Allows them to let the harsh words of other children roll off their backs. But the truth is that words have power. Power to encourage. Power to heal. But also power to intimidate, power to scourge, and power to wound.How are you using the power of words?
What we say has both spiritual and physical implications. Revelation 21:8 tells us that liars have their place in the Lake of Fire. And we all have seen the devastation wreaked by rumors on innocent reputations. Yet with the same intensity, kind words can soothe a broken spirit and restore shattered relationships. Your words also say a lot about you. Jesus said, 'For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks' (Matthew 12:34). If our hearts are not in tune with God, neither will be our words.
In The Weight of Your Words , Joseph Stowell shares the truth about the tongue straight from the Bible, God's Word to His people. He challenges us to not allow our mouths to be controlled by our anger or our circumstances, but rather, to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives. Take inventory of your words and your heart attitude with Joseph Stowell in The Weight of Your Words .
What we say has both spiritual and physical implications. Revelation 21:8 tells us that liars have their place in the Lake of Fire. And we all have seen the devastation wreaked by rumors on innocent reputations. Yet with the same intensity, kind words can soothe a broken spirit and restore shattered relationships. Your words also say a lot about you. Jesus said, 'For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks' (Matthew 12:34). If our hearts are not in tune with God, neither will be our words.
In The Weight of Your Words , Joseph Stowell shares the truth about the tongue straight from the Bible, God's Word to His people. He challenges us to not allow our mouths to be controlled by our anger or our circumstances, but rather, to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives. Take inventory of your words and your heart attitude with Joseph Stowell in The Weight of Your Words .
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 1998
24 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Joseph M. Stowell
67 books18 followersDr. Joseph M. Stowell serves as the 11th President of Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Comprised of approximately 2500 undergraduate and graduate students, Cornerstone is a Christ-centered university with a passion for global influence through the transforming power of the gospel. The University is committed to creating an environment where students thrive both spiritually and intellectually as they prepare themselves to influence our world as followers of Jesus.
An internationally recognized conference speaker, Joe has also written numerous books including "The Trouble with Jesus, Simply Jesus and You, The Upside of Down" and "Eternity." Joe also serves with RBC Ministries, partnering in media productions, writing, and outreach to pastors. His "Strength for the Journey" web ministry, www.getmorestrength.org, features daily devotionals, weekly messages and commentary, downloadable Bible study curriculum, and an audio library of his most requested messages. Joe serves on the Board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Wheaton College, and has a distinguished career in higher education and church leadership.
From 1987-2005, he served as the president of Moody Bible Institute, and as teaching pastor at the 10,000-member Harvest Bible Chapel in suburban Chicago from 2005 to early 2008 prior to assuming the presidency at Cornerstone University. He is a graduate of Cedarville University and Dallas Theological Seminary and was honored with a doctor of divinity degree from The Master's College in 1987. Joe and his wife Martie are the parents of three adult children and ten grandchildren.
An internationally recognized conference speaker, Joe has also written numerous books including "The Trouble with Jesus, Simply Jesus and You, The Upside of Down" and "Eternity." Joe also serves with RBC Ministries, partnering in media productions, writing, and outreach to pastors. His "Strength for the Journey" web ministry, www.getmorestrength.org, features daily devotionals, weekly messages and commentary, downloadable Bible study curriculum, and an audio library of his most requested messages. Joe serves on the Board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Wheaton College, and has a distinguished career in higher education and church leadership.
From 1987-2005, he served as the president of Moody Bible Institute, and as teaching pastor at the 10,000-member Harvest Bible Chapel in suburban Chicago from 2005 to early 2008 prior to assuming the presidency at Cornerstone University. He is a graduate of Cedarville University and Dallas Theological Seminary and was honored with a doctor of divinity degree from The Master's College in 1987. Joe and his wife Martie are the parents of three adult children and ten grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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July 2, 2012An absolute paradigm-shifter! You will reconsider your speech forever after reading this book and rereading it is a constant blessing.
March 5, 2017
A very thorough study on all the tongue sins that also gives a way out!
February 9, 2023
Stowell is that friend who gently shows you how you could be better, more mature, more in line with God's word. This book was convicting and inspiring and thoughtful. I will read this again! Hopefully next time around I will see how I have grown, not be so shocked at how I have room to grow.
April 2, 2018
"The Weight of Your Words" is not just about gossip, slander, & anger.
July 18, 2016
The Weight of Your Words is such a powerful reminder that your words are more than just puffs of air that escape your lips.
When God created the world, he used his words. Humans are the only other creation that He has given this ability to, the ability to create or destroy, using our words. Stowell does a fantastic job reminding his audience that "If we do not bring our speech habits under the Spirit's control, our tongues will be 'full of deadly poison.'"(p19) He backs up his teaching with scripture reminding the reader that we are to be like Christ, "...truth aligns us with God...truthfulness centers on his very nature"(p24). Stowell breaks down his book into 12 chapters, covering the worth of a word, lying, malicious speech, anger, and many other forms of unwise speech. What really changed my thinking about my use of words was when he compares those who lie with Satan, "Lying is the strength of Satan's system. Not only does he lie, but his desire is that we will lie as well. When we lie, we imitate Satan rather than God."(p29) This phrase reminded me that lying, malicious speech, anger, hatred, and so on are completely opposite of God. I mean, this is something I already know, but to put it in context of imitating Satan instead of God, well it sort of scared me straight.
This is definitely a book you want to keep in your arsenal, a book to reread, a helpful reminder that our words really do make a difference.
When God created the world, he used his words. Humans are the only other creation that He has given this ability to, the ability to create or destroy, using our words. Stowell does a fantastic job reminding his audience that "If we do not bring our speech habits under the Spirit's control, our tongues will be 'full of deadly poison.'"(p19) He backs up his teaching with scripture reminding the reader that we are to be like Christ, "...truth aligns us with God...truthfulness centers on his very nature"(p24). Stowell breaks down his book into 12 chapters, covering the worth of a word, lying, malicious speech, anger, and many other forms of unwise speech. What really changed my thinking about my use of words was when he compares those who lie with Satan, "Lying is the strength of Satan's system. Not only does he lie, but his desire is that we will lie as well. When we lie, we imitate Satan rather than God."(p29) This phrase reminded me that lying, malicious speech, anger, hatred, and so on are completely opposite of God. I mean, this is something I already know, but to put it in context of imitating Satan instead of God, well it sort of scared me straight.
This is definitely a book you want to keep in your arsenal, a book to reread, a helpful reminder that our words really do make a difference.
April 13, 2015
I just found out that Dr. Joseph Stowell is coming to my town and it caused me to look up this book on Amazon to read reviews from others who have read it. I read it years ago and it is one of the few books that changed my heart and my attitudes forever. There aren't many books I can say that about. I am so appreciative of what this book taught me about what comes out of my mouth. The other reviewers obviously feel the same way. Dr. Stowell did an excellent job of explaining exactly it means spiritually to gossip, slander, etc. He covers several sins of the mouth - some that you may not even think about. When you realize what you are actually doing to yourself and others by your speech, your habits will change if you have a conscience at all. It's a beautiful thing, really. This is one of those books that should be re-read every so often, and I will be doing that soon...maybe just before I go to hear him speak next month. The event will be during the workday, but it is worth me taking a half-day vacation for. I think very highly of Dr. Stowell and look forward to hearing him share more of his spiritual insights.
February 7, 2012
Stowell reminds us that "If we master the tongue, we have the capacity to master other areas of our lives with far less effort." I was particularly challenged about exaggeration. He says it "erodes trust and credibility. The problem is that stretching the truth destroys it." Ouch!! Probably the
most interesting new thougt I got from the book was that it is Rahab's faith that is commended in Hebrews 11:31, not her lie. "Her faith was in response to what she had learned about God's protection of His people as they had crossed the Red Sea and won great military victories. Faith in the reality and the power of the God of Israel is wht saved her. Her lying, on the other hand, was actually a lapse in her faith...Rahab's lie actually precluded God's opportunity to intervene supernaturally as He has done so many times." Most interesting. Good C.S. Lewis quote: "The Christian trying to treat everyone kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes--including people he could not even have imagined himself liking at the beginning."
most interesting new thougt I got from the book was that it is Rahab's faith that is commended in Hebrews 11:31, not her lie. "Her faith was in response to what she had learned about God's protection of His people as they had crossed the Red Sea and won great military victories. Faith in the reality and the power of the God of Israel is wht saved her. Her lying, on the other hand, was actually a lapse in her faith...Rahab's lie actually precluded God's opportunity to intervene supernaturally as He has done so many times." Most interesting. Good C.S. Lewis quote: "The Christian trying to treat everyone kindly, finds himself liking more and more people as he goes--including people he could not even have imagined himself liking at the beginning."
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June 7, 2016This little book is a treasure for everyone who reads it. The truth on good and best communication is a must. Joseph Stowell takes the whole counsel of god and rightly divides the Word on the truth of the impact each and every word we utter has in our world. In the back of the book is a review for each chapter with questions and insights to help retain and grow from the reading and digesting of the truths offered. This book will be super useful for any and all who teach or preach regarding the truth found in the book of Proverbs that says, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue."
August 27, 2008
"The Weight of Your Words" is a provocative book that looks at the impact of our words. Based on Biblical principals, the book sites countless examples of how harmful our words can be. In contrast, an encouraging well-spoken word can be a blessing to others. The author Joseph M Stowell gives plenty of practical advise on considering and controlling our words. The book is stern but antidotes keep it light.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews