The Power of Words
Words fascinate me! Maybe it’s because I like to write or because I read so much as a child….or maybe it’s their rhythm, like in a song. I don’t know why, I just like words. My favorite words are those that make me feel something, like….One day He’s coming, oh, Glorious day!! Or….Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine! Did you ever ponder the wonder of words… why we were blessed with these fantastic powers to speak, write and to read?
The first chapter of John says: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the Word of God. He was with Him from the beginning. In most Bibles the words Jesus spoke are written in red so we know they came directly from Him. In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said. “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Words are powerful things. They can create a universe….or tear one down. God shared one of His most powerful gifts with us by giving us the ability to speak, not to mention reading and writing. As with all gifts, it is very important that we use our words wisely and to bless others. There’s an old saying: Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” How far from the truth this is…. Words can hurt and cause more damage sometimes than any physical abuse. Fleshly wounds can heal, but words that people sometimes take to heart can cause a lifetime of hurt….especially if these words come from someone we love or look up to…. like a parent.
It is so important that the words we say to our children are positive and meant to build them up and promote good behavior, not to harm them in any way. It hurts my heart to hear a mother using profanity when dealing with a small child. Careless, angry words spoken without forethought have caused too many friendships, relationships, marriages and whole families to be torn apart. There are times to speak and times to listen. Let us pray for wisdom in choosing those times.
In James, chapter 3: 2-13 the tongue is compared to the bit placed in horses’ mouths and the helm of a ship. One of the smallest members, yet it can defile our whole body….”an unruly evil, which no man can tame.” Verse 10: “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing….these things ought not so to be.” Verse 2: “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” The only perfect man is Jesus . If we strive to be like Him, then we must try to control our tongue and choose our words wisely.
Proverbs 25:11 says: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” What a beautiful image that provokes! We can use our words to provoke beauty or to break a heart: to glorify God or to curse men who are made in His image. Let’s pray today for wisdom, as we feed on His Word, that we might use our words as blessings that bring others closer to Him. Along with the power of words, as with any other, comes a great responsibility.
