“Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” (Proverbs 18:21a ESV).
“Words are not simply sounds caused by air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3), and we are in His image in part because of the power we have with words. Words do more than convey information. The power of our words can actually destroy one’s spirit; even stir up hatred and violence. They not only exacerbate wounds but inflict them directly. Of all the creatures on this planet, only man has the ability to communicate through the spoken word. The power to use words is a unique and powerful gift from God.”*
Think back over your life. I hope you can recall some examples of when someone spoke some encouraging words to you, or when someone took the time to give you some constructive advice. Maybe it’s when someone shared their testimony or the gospel message. What you may recall instead, unfortunately, is when someone said something hateful to you, or maybe even behind your back, and how that made you feel. Most of us carry with us the pain of words that have wounded us. Words can bring life, and they can hurt our hearts. I am thankful for the encouraging words you have been given, and I am so sorry when you have been hurt by words spoken thoughtlessly or from a mean heart.
And brothers and sisters, I think you know where I am going. Who of us is innocent of doing the same thing to someone else? Surely we have been mostly good with our speech when dealing with others, but if you are like me, you have said things that you are ashamed of. I can think of too many instances when I said something I should not have said, or in a way that I should not have said it.
I am reminded of the passage where Isaiah was called to the ministry. Isaiah had a vision of “the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke” (Isaiah 6:1-4). Then, in verse 5, surrounded by such a vision of glory, Isaiah reacts: “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” When in the presence of the King, the LORD Almighty, he realizes with shame that it is his speech that is so condemning (can you relate?). After Isaiah’s confession, his lips are cleansed. “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” And then God speaks to Isaiah giving him his call to ministry. “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:6-8).
Clearly, speech is vitally important. It is how the Bible was brought into existence (Read). “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
And in John 1:1-5, 14 we read that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Jesus is the Word, and in Him is life. And clearly, as followers of Jesus, we must be obedient in the purity and usefulness of our speech. Just a few examples of the admonishment and instruction found in the New Testament:
- Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37).
- Paul said “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
- Paul said: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
Friends, let us be ever diligent to make sure our words are thoughtful, beneficial, and truthful while full of grace. And when they are not all of those things, then I pray that we can just keep our mouths shut, right?
Some of you know how much I like Toby Mac. I hope you will enjoy one of my favorite songs of his which is so instructive. May it just play over and over in the back of your mind as a reminder to Speak Life.
In Christ,
Judy
*Excerpted from an article in Got Questions.Org. https://www.gotquestions.org/power-of-words.html.
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