Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21, KJV

During the last week of school as a student-teacher, I remember watching the teachers doing final checklists, updating cumulative folders, and creating class rosters for the next school year. As I listened to the teachers group the students and assign them to certain teachers, I realized the importance of speaking life over our students.

As teachers, I know that sometimes we label our students and then share that label with the next teacher. When we do this, our intention is typically to help a fellow teacher out by “warning” him or her.

But we can and should be mindful that the words we use build our students up instead of causing them harm. If we label our students with descriptors such as bad; does not listen; won’t ever get it; a headache; or a pest, then we are not speaking life over them. Instead, we can encourage our students by highlighting their strengths and finding a positive comment to share about even the most difficult student.

Today, let’s ask God to help us see our students as He sees them. How wonderful would it be to look at them with God’s perception?

Heavenly Father, You are an all-knowing God. Bring Your Word to my remembrance so that I may speak life over my students. Help me to always speak positively over every situation that arises. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright Niccori Thomas-Brown.

If you’ve enjoyed this devotion, Niccori shares more in her book, Doing All God Has Called You To Do: A Devotion For Novice Teachers.