I have recently been thinking of the importance of “words.” It is one of those aspects of life that would be difficult to live without. Yet, it is one of the areas that we probably do not think about very much. Believe it or not the Bible has much to say about the importance of words and our words.
There are many directions to approach the Biblical teaching on this subject. Our first will be to look at the significance of “words” from God’s perspective. Second, we will look at one practical application on the importance of the “words in the word” in the Bible.
The most significant statement on the significance of “Words in the Word” is seen in one of the titles given to the promised Messiah. In John’s gospel account we read, ““In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”(John 1:1) The three repetitive statement are referring to the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus. The term “word” in the original language is speaking of communication. The Greek term is “logos” which communicates speaking, a message or words. The significance of this passage is that Jesus is the embodiment of God’s message to you and me. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”(Romans 10:17) Our creator is a communicator. This is realized in our creation in His image. We would never be able to know our Creator or enjoy relationships with others without the gift of communication, words. We are also reminded of God’s desire to have a personal relationship with you!
The Bible is also filled practical applications on the importance of our words. First, our ability to communicate allows us to praise God. “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2) We are also reminded that our words influence others negatively and positively. Solomon reminds us in this proverb of the power to hurt with our words. “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18) Our words contain the power to bring pain to those in our lives. The old rhyme in an 1862 rendition states, “Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me.” The reality is that while this rhyme is a reminder to be strong, words to in deed “hurt me” as more current version of rhyme state.
We also see, in many other places in the Bible, where positive words build others up. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) The two phrases remind us of the power of our words to make a difference in the lives of others. Our words can not only provide comfort, but they can also build courage, they can be a source of wise counsel and a blessing to those in our lives.
Let me encourage you to consider the impact that your words are having on those in your life. Let us be intentional, while being truthful, to use our words to be a positive influence upon those in our lives.
-Pastor Joe Parkinson