I recently read some books…great literature. The words used in them were so amazing that they brought entire worlds to life.
Words have power. That’s what we’re told. That’s what we read. In John 1, we read that the Word that created everything was Jesus. And we, made in the image of God, have the power to bring things to life with words.
We know what it means when somebody speaks life into us. Whether it’s a word of knowledge or a prophetic word. Maybe it’s a compliment about the way we look or something we are wearing. God certainly made something great when He created us with the ability to speak.
In James 3:10, the Bible says, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” Simply stated, if we are a man or woman of God, a Christian following after the commandment of the Word of God, we are to bring life and not cursing.
I believe that the idea of bringing life through our words has become somewhat lost. We have freedoms in this country that give us the ability to say whatever we want to say. If we say something that hurts others’ feelings, we justify our words by saying it’s their problem.
The true problem is this…we’ve stopped asking what God would have us say and what God would have us do. We bless people with our works and judge people with our words. It’s too easy to tear someone down with a comment, sarcastic tone, or with blatant disregard. Even though we are Christians, doing our Christian duties, we can still let our tongue get away from us.
The first, and possibly greatest, thing that God ever did was use His words. I think we very much undervalue what we say. I believe truth is a necessity in this world. However, without people feel loved in the process, we have missed the mark. I wonder what would change if we asked the Lord, the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, about what we say to the people around us or to the people who don’t even know we are talking about them.
God has made something beautiful in us and, through our words, we can express those things in songs, poems, and writing. But the most common way is in our conversations. If we are truly changed by Christ, we will let the abundance of our heart speak with love in all circumstances – building up instead of tearing down.
Nobody is asking us to be perfect, but we definitely want to lean on the One who is. At the end of my time here I want to know I worked well, I lived well, and that I spoke well, for His Glory. I want to challenge you to ask yourself…how are you speaking to bring life?
Rene Solis is Director of Koinonia School of Ministry, a ministry of Koinonia Church in Hanford, CA. He can be reached at ksm@kchanford.com or by calling 559-582-1528.