Words Are Important
In high school we used a little booklet each week called 'Words are Important', in which was a list of about twenty words for each assignment, and we had to find the meanings of each of these words, and then use each in a sentence. As well, we were to know how to spell each of them. It served to expand our vocabulary and spelling
For some reason I was reminded of that booklet this week, and in particular the title of the booklet.
Words are still important - particularly the words that we speak. The Bible says that our words can be used for either blessing or cursing, so it is wise, as James pointed out, that we watch the words we speak:
"For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2) He goes on to compare the tongue to a bit in a horse's mouth, as well as to a ship's rudder, how each can control direction. In a similar way, the tongue has great influence over the direction of our lives. Verse 6 tells us that the tongue "is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."
James continues, "But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God." (vv.8-9).
Paul tells us in Romans 10:9-10 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." With the mouth. Speaking forth the words are necessary.
Obviously, we would be wise to watch our words, watching that what we speak is for good, and not for evil.
However, there is more reason than blessing or cursing that indicates that words are important.
Job 22:28 tells us: "You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you". Not only can words be used for blessing and cursing, but words also have creative power! I believe this to be true, both for good and for bad. I believe that we can hold ourselves back from receiving all the good things God has promised us, by speaking negatively.
For example, if we perhaps repeat things we heard in our childhood, like, "You'll never amount to much" or "You'll be lucky to finish high school, never mind university, you haven't got the brains for it," we begin to believe those lies, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Or perhaps we take on a family illness or weakness: "My mother always suffered from a nervous stomach, and I'm just like her." I think perhaps we bring those words into our reality, instead of realizing we are children of the Most High God. Words are important!
Paul asks the question in Romans 8:31: If God is for us, who can be against us?
1 Peter 4:11 tells us: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever."
Psalm 91 is such a great promise! I like to personalize it, and declare it out loud:
"I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."
Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I shall take refuge;
His truth shall be my shield and buckler.
I shall not be afraid of the terror by night, not of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come near me.
Only with my eyes shall I look, and see the reward of the wicked.
Because I have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High my dwelling place,
No evil shall befall me, nor shall any plague come near my dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways.
In their hands they shall bear me up, lest I dash my foot against a stone.
I shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent I shall trample underfoot.
Because I have set my love upon You, therefore You will deliver me;
You will set me on high, because I have known Your name;
I shall call upon You, and You will answer me;
You will be with me in trouble; You will deliver me and honor me.
With long life You will satisfy me, and show me Your salvation."
I encourage you to try it! It really is empowering and faith-building!
