Here is a paraphrase from a paragraph in my first book, “Freedom! From Past Hurts.” What we speak affects us and the one we are speaking to. Our words release something in the spirit realm. 

Paul spoke words over Elymas that had an immediate effect. Acts 13:9 says that he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and looked intently on him. Verse 11 says, “And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.”

Have you ever said, “You stupid fool” or “I can’t do anything right” or said those words over someone else? Those words have the power to build inner strongholds that bind our lives and hold us captive. Berating can become a habit that defeats. We have no right to condemn ourselves because the Lord doesn’t. Romans 8:33-34.