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The year 2025 was filled with such violence and hatred. People spewed horrific words at world leaders, governments, religious groups, ethnic groups, and international corporations.
Words like,
Death to America,
Death to the Infidels
Killing social activists is okay under certain circumstances
Disobey your commander’s orders
You are stupid
They’re only words, right?
They are words, but what they can do is foundational to human existence.
The Mind Remapping Academy says,
“Words are the encodings of our thoughts and feelings. Furthermore, the way we use words creates pictures in the minds of others, which can imply or create meaning depending on how we use our words.”
The wisdom of Solomon puts it this way.
“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.”
Proverbs 18:21
The Message
“A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.”
Proverbs 15:1
The Message
Focus3.com claims that,
“Words are the currency of communication. We use words to express what we think and how we feel.”
Pt. Loma Nazarene University describes our words like this.
“The words we use — and how we use them — matter immensely because they shape the way we perceive the world.”
I like this quote from an unknown author,
“More than just a means of communication, words remind us what we care about and believe in.”
Solomon’s wisdom paints this picture with these words.
“A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead.”
Proverbs 16:30
As you can imagine, nothing good came about as a result of these words being spewed across the land.
As humanity enters 2026, and the jacked-up hatred of people groups has turned into an all-out war of words, it is important to remember what the Bible says about our tongue and how we use it.
There are hundreds of scripture references to draw from, but I have limited my thoughts to those found in the Old Testament book of Proverbs.
To begin, Solomon responds to these words by saying,
“A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.”
Proverbs 15:1
The Message
As a Christ-follower, you must develop a gentle response to the intense anger and hatred that is freely flowing in our world.
Such a response can only come by the unction of God the Holy Spirit, because the malice that drives such words will provoke a reaction rather than a response.
“Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.”
Proverbs 2:2
The Message
Holy Spirit, grant me wisdom to hear such words through the ears of Jesus, and not my natural ears.
“The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.”
Proverbs 10:11
The Message
Humanity is a contrast of good versus wicked. In 2026, we are seeing a lot of wickedness, and if we are not careful, their “dark cave of abuse” will overtake us with ill intent.
Father, search my heart and deliver me from all wicked thoughts and imaginations that would cause my walk with you to stumble.
“Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything.”
Proverbs 13:3
The Message
This passage of scripture shows the importance of our words. We must think before we talk, which means we must be close enough to the Lord to hear his words over the words offered by the world.
Lord, draw me close to you so the words of my mouth are careful, thoughtful, and God-honoring.
“Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.”
Proverbs 18:20
The Message
Have you ever considered how satisfying a good conversation is?
Do you recall how upset and aggravated you were after listening to mean, hateful words?
Words possess the power to satisfy your mind like eating your favorite fruit does your belly.
Father, give me ears to hear your words, eyes to see what you say, and a heart full of goodness to speak life to a lost and dying world.
Humanity has entered a time of historical proportions, and being close to God will mean the difference between finding spiritual freedom or a deepening of spiritual bondage.
Stay close.