The Dangers of Negative Self Talk

We have all done it – talked to ourselves.  But what are we actually saying? If we have the power of life and death in our tongues – are we using this God given power to speak life, or death? Yep, killing ourselves softly – with our own words.  Negative self talk will bring us down faster than anything or anyone.  And today, after reading the scripture below in a new version, I saw that any gossip or criticism I speak about another person will COME BACK TO ME!  Ouch!

God’s Word for You:

Do not say what is wrong in other people’s lives. Then other people will not say what is wrong in your life.

You will be guilty of the same things you find in others. When you say what is wrong in others, your words will be used to say what is wrong in you.

Why do you look at the small piece of wood in your brother’s eye, and do not see the big piece of wood in your own eye?

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take that small piece of wood out of your eye,’ when there is a big piece of wood in your own eye?

You who pretend to be someone you are not, first take the big piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you can see better to take the small piece of wood out of your brother’s eye.

“Do not give that which belongs to God to dogs. Do not throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will break them under their feet. Then they will turn and tear you to pieces.

(Matthew 7: 1-6 NLV)

And I had to ask myself about the first part – DO NOT SAY WHAT IS WRONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES.

From: Pinterest
From: Pinterest

What if that other person is me?

Am I always finding things that are wrong with me?

Am I quick to criticize myself?

If someone else says something bad to me or about me, are those the words I cling to?

Do I repeat those words to myself – even if they are NOT TRUE?

Are those the words I want to bring life to?

So what can I start to speak over myself and others?

Words of Life – from God:

WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST
From Neil Anderson’s “Bondage Breaker”

I Am Accepted
John 1:12 — I am God’s child.
John 15:15 — I am Christ’s friend.
Romans 5:1– I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 — I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:19,20 — I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:2 7 — I am a member of Christ’s body.
Ephesians 1:1 — I am a saint.
Ephesians 1:5 — I have been adopted as God’s child.
Ephesians 2:18 — I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 1:14 — I have been redeemed and for¬given of all my sins.
Colossians 2:10 — I am complete in Christ.

I Am Secure
Romans 8:1,2 — I am free forever from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 — I am assured that all things work together for good.
Romans 8:31 — I am free from any condemning charges against me.
Romans 8:35 — I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21,22 — I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:3 — I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 — I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected.
Philippians 3.20 — I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 — I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Hebrews 4:16 — I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
1 John 5.18 — I am born of God, and the evil one cannot touch me.

I Am Significant
Matthew 5:13,14 — I am the salt and light of the earth.
John 15:1,5 — I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.
John 15:16 — I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 — I am a personal witness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3.16 — I am God’s temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
2 Corinthians 6:1 — I am God’s co-worker (1 Corinthians 3:9).
Ephesians 2:6 — I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 — I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 — I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4.13 — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

My Prayer for You:

Dear Lord,

We confess we have spoken ‘death’ over ourselves with our own negative self-talk.  Today Lord we ask you to turn those words into dust and let them fall to the ground.  They are not true – no matter if we said them, or someone else said them over us.  Today is a new day Lord.  We will begin today – now – to SPEAK LIFE over ourselves and over others as well.  Let all gossip and criticism cease, in Jesus Name.

 All images from: Pinterest

New Life Version (NLV)

Copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International

15 comments

  1. Beautiful post! I used to your words as a platform to have a discussion about negative self talk with my son last night. Isn’t it amazing that we often speak to strangers more kindly than we do to ourselves? Best wishes to you in your journey.

  2. Wow, I never thought about judging myself in regards to that scripture passage. Thank you for such an amazing and insightful post!

  3. Powerful and beautiful words. Just what I needed to hear. Thank you for this gentle reminder. 🙂 GBY!

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