Christian speech as used in the context of this article is the framing of our words in alignment with the scripture Proverbs 18:21 (Amplified Bible AMP). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.”  Lots of people have a problem with believing that the words they speak possess power. You may remember the English language nursery rhyme “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. “ The message behind this rhyme is that hurtful words do not cause bodily harm to its victims. Therefore they are to be ignored. Hurtful words may not cause immediate bodily harm, but they can instantly wreak havoc on emotions. These emotions can cause victims to respond with their own negative words towards the culprit. They often find themselves eating the fruit that unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment can cause. Simply trying to ignore hurtful words can be harmful too. Speaking and ignoring hurtful words can eventually cause the body to succumb to sickness and disease, which can lead to either physical and spiritual death.

Power of Words: Rice Experiment Setup and Implementation

Figure 1 – Christian Speech Rice Experiment

Words are very powerful. They can cause spiritual things that are not visible with our natural eyes to become visible. Let’s review what Proverbs 18:21 states again. Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

One night my wife and I were watching the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on television. On Manna-Fest, a television program hosted by Perry Stone, he described the impact words had on two jars of rice that were the subject of an experiment.  The steps of the experiment were simple, so my wife and I conducted it. To set up the experiment, we used three mason jars, Riceland rice, water, two package labels, and packing tape. Mr. Stone mentioned that the experiment he witnessed used Basmati rice, which is a long-grained rice that originates in India. I distinctly remember my wife saying that she did not have any Basmati rice. But the Holy Spirit spoke to her and said  “use the Riceland rice we had in the cabinet.  We were not testing the rice, but His Word.”

To set up the experiment, we used three mason jars, Riceland rice, water, two package labels, and packing tape.  Below are the steps of our experiment:

1.  The three jars were washed and dried
2.  We cooked the Riceland rice
3.  In each of the three jars, we placed equal amounts of rice
4.  In each jar, we added equal amounts of water.
5.  We affixed an index card onto two of the three jars.
6.  On the first jar, we wrote on the index card, “I Love You. You are nice rice. I hope you live a long time.”
7.  On the second index card, we wrote, “I hate you. You are bad rice. I hope you die.”
8.  We ignored the third jar. We did not place an index card nor did we write anything on that jar.
9.  For about 60 days, we would lift the love and hate jars daily and speak the words written on its index cards out loud.
10.  The third jar was not spoken to at all.
11.  After 60 days, we did not routinely speak to the rice. However, the words written on the jars had meaning and intent. The purpose behind those words are still working today.

Power of Words: Rice Experiment Results

The jars of rice that you see in Figure 1 are the jars we used in our experiment. The experiment took place on December 30, 2010. Since that time, the three jars have never been apart from each other. Now remember in setting up the experiment, the same amount of cooked rice, which came out of the same pot was placed in the same types of jars. To these jars we added the same amount of water. We also added the same kind of lid and tape. The only difference between the jars were the words written on the labels and what was spoken.

Figure 2 – Rice Experiment Results

Pay close attention to the rice in the first and second jar in Figure 2’s picture. The Love Rice is on the left, and the Hate Rice is in the center. Notice how the Love Rice’s water is clearer, and the rice itself is whiter.  The water of the Hate Rice is darker and dingy; the rice color is turning brown. Now take heed to the Proverbs 18:21 scripture; “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”  The Hate Rice is, in fact, dying because of the hateful words written and spoken over it. The opposite is true for the Love Rice; it’s enjoying preservation, it’s having a long life.

When we started the experiment, we did not see any evidence at all that our words had an impact on the rice.  That’s because words are spirit and our eyes cannot see them.  But when spoken (written) continuously for a period of time, the effects of our words became evident.  We could then see the manifestation of our words working within this physical world.

 Around day 30 from the start of the experiment; we begin to notice the Hate Rice change slightly.  What we were witnessing was proof that the words we speak, produces results based on what was said.   What you are seeing in the images of Figure 1 and 2 are the results of our experiment six years and eight months from the start of the research.

Power of Words – Unintended Consequences

Now let’s talk about the third jar.  Up until now, I have mostly ignored it.  Since the inception of the experiment, this jar did not receive a label, nor were words spoken.  It was rejected and ignored in every way. Although it sat alongside the other two jars, for a time, it was placed at a greater distance away.  Notice the third jar’s results.  The rice has disintegrated, it’s dead.

Remember the nursery rhyme, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me? The premise of this rhyme is for us to ignore the hateful and painful things which people speak towards us.  This line of thought causes us to believe that mere words can never cause any harm.  But as you can see from the evidence of the jars, speaking evil words can cause destruction and rejection accelerates it faster.

Power of Words – Life Application

The three jars provide physical evidence regarding the power of the words we speak based on the supernatural  Laws of Confession and Attraction.  They also show what happens in the spirit world and the natural world. Controlling the tongue can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Refer to the scriptures below to gain a greater understanding of the power of words and Christian speech.

What we speak, frames our lives

God’s Words are spirit and life

By Michael Mosbey, co-founder of Kingdom’s Life Support
Founded in 2017, Kingdom’s Life Support is the Christian personal finance brand of eLearn Life Skills, LLC. ELearn Life Skills’ mission is to develop and distribute e-learning and classroom education that empowers students to enjoy a higher quality of life and increased business success.

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