Speak Life, Sow Life:
The Harvest of Your Words

James 3:2 says, “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man." That’s a bold statement. James doesn’t say we stumble in some things—he says we all stumble in many things. But the real weight lands in that second part: “If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man." In other words, if you can control your words, you can control your whole life.

This is such an important topic because your mouth is constantly revealing the condition of your heart. The Bible says, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." If you want to know how your heart is doing, listen to what you’re saying. You want to know how your relationship is doing? Listen to what you say to each other. I’ve been married to Heather for almost 28 years, known her for 30, and I can tell you—by her words alone—when she’s happy and when she’s not.

We all try to mask things, but our words eventually reveal the truth. I work with people all the time who try to cover things up, but they always end up speaking what they believe. Our mouths run like faucets, and James tells us that if we can control our tongues, we can bridle the whole body.

The Power of Direction

In James 3:3–4, it says, “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires."

Think about that. A 1,200-pound horse obeys a small bit. A massive ship, driven by powerful winds, is directed by a rudder. Your words function the same way. If you speak negativity and fear, and you see the world through that lens, that’s where you’ll go. You can’t speak failure and walk in success. You can’t declare poverty and walk in abundance. It doesn’t work that way.

Your words become your rudder. If you're always saying things like, “I’ll probably get sick," or “Nothing ever works out for me," don’t be surprised when your life follows suit. The world imprints lies on your soul if you don’t let the Word of God renew your mind.

Mind, Will, Emotions—and Your Soul

Your soul is made up of your mind, will, and emotions. If it’s not renewed by God’s Word, it gets shaped by the world’s narrative. And what does the world say? “You’re never going to make it. You’ll always be stuck. You’ll never measure up." You see it on the news, in conversations at work, and even in well-meaning advice from people who don’t know the truth of the Word.

That’s why you’ve got to go back to Scripture. If you don’t let God’s truth shape your soul, the world will fill the void with lies.

It Starts with the Mouth

In James 3:5–6, it says, “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity." A little spark can start a wildfire—and our words can do the same. The tongue can defile the whole body, setting the course of life on fire.

The destructive power of hell itself can come through our mouths. I’ve watched people talk themselves into the grave. They weren’t sick, but because their family had cancer, they convinced themselves they would too—and they did. That’s not just genetics. That’s belief.

Jesus was marred for our healing. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “By His stripes we were healed." Past tense. It’s already done. Most people only associate Jesus’ death with forgiveness of sins. But He also died for our health, our peace, our promise.

Words Plant Seeds

Proverbs 18:20–21 says, “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue." The word “stomach" there literally means “womb." What you speak plants seed. Your heart is fertile ground. If you plant fear, worry, and doubt—you’ll get a harvest of anxiety, defeat, and pain. But if you plant truth, faith, and hope—you’ll reap life.

And yes, sometimes you need to go in and dig up bad seed. Some of us have been sowing the wrong stuff for years. Time to pull that out, till the ground, and start fresh. Jesus came to give you a new hand. Don’t keep playing the old cards life dealt you.

Blessing and Cursing

James goes on in 3:9–10, saying, “With [the tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so."

You can’t curse people and think it’s okay. That word “bless” means to speak well of—like a eulogy. You don’t stand at someone’s funeral and rip them apart. You honor them. But when we curse people—especially out of frustration—we’re speaking contempt and rejection.

My wife Heather and I have to remind ourselves: We’re going to bless people, not curse them. It doesn’t mean we agree with everything people do, especially Online, but it means we don’t let our mouths become instruments of destruction. You don’t need to comment. You don’t need to repost. Just bless and move on.

When Even the Donkey Gets It

One of my favorite Old Testament stories is from Numbers 22–23, where Balak tries to get Balaam to curse Israel. God tells Balaam not to go, but he does anyway. And then his donkey—yes, his donkey—sees the angel of the Lord before he does. The donkey stops, and Balaam starts beating it. Then the donkey speaks!

God uses the donkey to save Balaam’s life. Later, when Balaam tries to curse Israel, God fills his mouth with blessing instead. Balak is furious, but Balaam says, “Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it." (Numbers 23:20)

What God blesses, no one can curse. And guess what? That includes you.

Confess the Word

You need to speak God’s Word over your life. Confession isn’t just positive thinking. It’s agreement with heaven.

Confess these words:

• “God loves me. I am in right standing with Him." (Romans 8:10)

• “I am protected. Angels guard me." (Psalm 91:11)

• “I have peace that passes understanding." (Philippians 4:6–7)

• “I sleep well. He gives me sweet sleep." (Proverbs 3:24)

• “I have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)

These aren’t feel-good quotes. They’re truth. They anchor your heart.

You Are Called

You have a purpose. Don’t disqualify yourself because of age or past mistakes. Abraham was 100 years old, and God still fulfilled His promise. Don’t say, “I’m too old," or “I’ve missed it." Say, “God’s not done with me. He has more for me."

Romans 8:28–29 says He works all things for your good, because you love Him and are called according to His purpose. That’s not just for preachers—it’s for you.

Final Thoughts

Before you say something about someone, or about your situation, or even about yourself—check your heart. Get in the Word. Let the Word shape what comes out of your mouth. If you’ve planted bad seed, dig it up. If you’ve been playing a bad hand, ask Jesus for a new one. Your tongue has the power to build or destroy. Choose life.

“Father, help us plant the Word deep, speak life, and produce fruit that glorifies You. Let us be anchors in our families and communities, speaking blessing—not cursing. In Jesus’ name, amen.” 

Pastor Dustin Cornelius leads Identity Church, a grace-centered ministry committed to helping believers understand what they’ve received through Jesus—not through their own efforts. A graduate of Charis Bible College, Pastor Dusty was deeply influenced by the teaching of Andrew Wommack, where he discovered that our true identity is rooted in the promises of God. At the core of his message is this truth: the promise of adoption into God’s family comes only through Jesus Christ. Pastor Dusty and his wife Heather serve together in ministry, encouraging others to walk in the fullness of their identity in Christ.  For more information visit: www.youridentitychurch.org