What’s Your Report?
Dear Sister,
Have you ever stopped to think about the power of your words? The words spoken in quiet moments, in the heat of an argument, in jest, in anger, in the routine of daily life, or in the tenderness of love. Have you considered that the words you speak in your home shape its very atmosphere – building it up or tearing it down?
I want to take you on a journey today, one that will open or reopen your eyes to just how much your words matter.
Will You Give an Evil Report?
The story of the twelve spies in Numbers 13-14 is a powerful lesson on this.
God had promised the Israelites the land of Canaan—a land flowing with milk and honey. But when the spies returned from scouting the land, ten of them gave what the Bible calls an evil report (Numbers 13:32).
They spoke of giants, of fortified cities, and of their own weakness.
“We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:33)
Their words spread fear like wildfire, discouraging the entire nation. Instead of believing in God’s promise, they let doubt and fear take over.
But then there were two men—Joshua and Caleb— who saw the same giants but chose to speak differently. They silenced the fear and declared:
“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30)
They went further to say:
“If the LORD delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” (Numbers 14:8-9 KJV)
My sister, pay close attention to this. Joshua and Caleb were not denying the facts that the giants were there, but they held onto God’s promise instead.
Do you see what else is happening here? God counted the words of the fearful spies as rebellion. Complaining, speaking fear, and voicing doubts, wailing & crying (are these familiar?) – these were acts of rebellion against His Word as far as God was concerned.
But look at how Joshua and Caleb spoke. They imagined the enemy as bread and declared it so! They understood that their victory didn’t depend on the size of the enemy but on the presence of God with them.
And so, they refused to fear. Just like their ancestor Abraham who considered neither his body nor the deadness of his wife’s womb and so did not stagger in God’s promise to them, and so carried on speaking faith (Romans 4:19 – 20).
Now, my dear sister, let’s bring this home.
What words are you speaking over your marriage? Over your children? Over your health and your finances? Over your life?
What is an Evil Report?
An evil report is any word that contradicts God’s truth.
- It is fear instead of faith.
- It is doubt instead of trust.
- It is despair instead of hope.
And do you know what? It is all activated through your words.
Sister, words are living things.
The beautiful earth we live in was created with words. Your home, too, is being built or broken by the words you speak daily – casually or seriously.
If you constantly talk about how bad things are, how much your spouse frustrates you, how stubborn your children are, you are shaping an atmosphere where God’s will cannot prevail.
But if you choose to speak words of faith, hope, and love – against all odds – you will surely build a vibrant home, one which gives expression to the beauty of God.
Corrie ten Boom: A Woman Who Spoke Life
Few women in history demonstrate the power of words like Corrie ten Boom.
Corrie was a Dutch Christian who, along with her family, hid Jews during World War II, saving nearly 800 lives. But in 1944, they were betrayed and arrested.
She and her sister, Betsie, were sent to Ravensbrück, a brutal concentration camp. Disease, starvation, and death surrounded them. Yet, even in that darkness, Corrie and Betsie chose to speak life.
- Instead of despair, they prayed aloud in their barracks.
- Instead of cursing their captors, they spoke blessings over them.
- Instead of complaining about the fleas in their beds, they thanked God for them—only to later discover that the fleas kept the guards away, allowing them to hold secret Bible studies that strengthened the faith of others!
Corrie survived. And after the war, she preached faith, forgiveness, and the power of speaking life to millions of people.
Sister, what if Corrie had spent her time complaining? What if she had spoken doubt and despair instead? She would have died in the concentration camp and her purpose, truncated.
Even in the worst circumstances, she chose her words wisely – and God honored her faith.
What about you?
The Danger of Speaking Wrongly: Job’s Story
Let me show you something from Job’s life.
Job was blessed, favored, and protected by God. But look at what he said:
“I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.” (Job 3:26)
Though Job was protected, his words contradicted that truth.
Satan himself had admitted:
“Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?” (Job 1:9-10)
Satan had tried to attack Job before – but failed because of God’s protection.
But Job’s fear-filled words weakened that hedge.
“He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.” (Ecclesiastes 10:8)
Sister, Job’s own words created an opening for the enemy!!
You Are Responsible for the Atmosphere in Your Home!
What is the truth about your home? It’s in God’s Word!
Refuse to give an evil report! Facts are not always true! Get this my sister. The Word of God is truth! Jesus didn’t say you shall know the fact … he said you shall know the TRUTH and the truth shall deliver you from the facts of life!!! So learn to separate truth from fact!
The fact may be that you or your loved one feels pain in the body, but the truth is: “… Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). This means glory in your body. Where will the sickness stay?
Get a hold of all the truth on divine health in Christ, and like Joshua and Caleb, insist on them.
The fact may be that your child is having some challenges, maybe even in school but the truth is: “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (Isaiah 54:13). “ … God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
So don’t talk your child down, neither talk down about your child to anybody. Speak only God’s truth about your child regardless of what you see or hear. Talk soundness of mind, spirit and body! Don’t bear an evil report! And soon enough, the physical manifestation of that truth will be evident for all to see.
The fact may be that things look uncertain, but the truth is: “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). The truth is “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
This is the wisdom of the just. Others may not understand you, but it’s okay, they will soon understand!
So, will you choose the truth? Or will you declare an evil report?
Dear sister, you are the architect of your home.
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” (Proverbs 14:1)
Don’t let emotions dictate your words – that’s too dangerous! That’s not wise!
So, what will it be, Life or death?
Every time you open your mouth to speak one of the two is activated. Put a premium on your words. Choose them carefully. Choose the finest of words!
Talk your husband up! Talk your children up! Talk yourself up! Talk Up not Down!
In Part 2, we will explore practical ways to program your tongue for faith and train your household to speak words that build a vibrant home.
But today, I leave you with this exercise:
Now, pause for a moment and envision the kind of home and family you desire to build. What words will be required to shape that reality? Write them down, declare them boldly, and speak them consistently.
Also, reflect on the words you have been speaking in your home—are there any that contradict your vision for your family?
Identify them, take note, and cut them off.
I pray that as you meditate on this, you are mightily helped of God to see His vision for you and your household, and empowered to walk in the light of it thereby making your life and your home a place of immense joy, love, life, laughter, peace, and divine beauty.
With love,
Dr Glory Opara
Your Family Development Coach
Comments (12)
Kelvinerice Udeze
Amazing and inspiring!
Dr Glory Opara
Glad you found it impactful. Thank you!❤️
Sade
Thank you PG for this great reminder that our Words are powerful and that we need to be mindful of what we say. Thank you for the reinforcement.
Jennifer A
Thank you PG. Always a great reminder to choose our words carefully.
“If the LORD delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us…”
Hallelujah!
My home is filled with joy, kindness, and laughter and, like the sweet smell of incense burning praises to unto God.
Oge Nkere
This is awesome PG! Thank you so much for sharing.
I choose the truth of God’s word again and again and again.
I speak life only! I talk my husband up, I talk my children up and I talk myself up continually!
Ikor Atuo
Thank you, PG. Words have the power to uplift or tear down. When we speak life, we invite hope, healing, and growth. I commit to speaking with kindness, faith, and purpose, knowing that my words can shape the reality I experience.
Temi Oyeku
Thank you for such powerful words and reminder of how are words can affect our life and family. This sentence resonate with me; “Don’t let emotions dictate your words”. I speak only the word of God which is the truth to my family. I allow him to fill my mouth with words of wisdom and blessings. Amen.
Patience Owusu Peprah
Very educative and eye opening. Very true, words are really living things. These message is very powerful 👏 🙌 ❤️
Esther Aghede
Wow. Thank you so much for sharing PG. I choose God’s word which is the truth over facts. I am a wise woman, so I will build my home with my words. These are words on marble. Thank you PG
Olayemi
My words carry Power, I choose to allow God fill my mouth with good words…and I speak the truth in God’s word. I speak life!
Oge Nwandu-Vincent
Thank you for these words of wisdom, PG! My home glorifies God always. I am conscious of the immense power in my tongue as a child of God, and I consciously speak life over my home, my husband, children, and everything entrusted to me. I am a wise woman who builds her home.
Catherine Roland
Very inspiring!!! Thank you for sharing.
I choose the truth of God’s word always,
I speak life only! I talk my husband up, I talk my children up and I talk myself up continually because we are on top only and never beneath, living the higher life in Christ.