Words

I love my oldest niece with all my heart. She has my stature, my brother's goofiness, and my sister in law’s Type A personality. She is the first grandchild on my side of the family and has been adored her whole life. As she’s getting older, her sassy side is coming out more and more. Be careful with your words around this one-she’ll take your words and bend them to her will.

“Take a bite please.”

“Ok, I’m taking a bite of air.”

You get my point. Her smart aleck replies can be entertaining but also - how do i put this lovingly… tiresome. But in the end she’s not wrong. I have to be increasingly careful about my words with her or at least explain the intention behind them. Kids are impressionable but so are people.

Words are important. They can give clear instructions or further confuse.

Words are powerful. They have the ability to lift people up or tear them down.

Words are purposeful. They can serve a goal and enable growth or be a waste.

God created the universe by speaking it into existence. Jesus performed miracles by his words alone. The Bible is called the Living Word. Christianity places so much emphasis on words, but how do Christians use words?

Sometimes I’m embarrassed by the way some “public figure” Christians talk. Honestly, sometimes I’m embarrassed with the way I talk. Does every sentence, every phrase you utter, sound as if it’s from a saved person? A person that has a greater purpose than anything this world can imagine? I know that’s not true of me, although I try to be better. We could all do better.

We must be mindful of the words we use and how we use them.

Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 16:24 - Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Christians are called to win over the souls of (wo)man for the kingdom by sharing the gospel. What message are we sending to the world when all they hear are bitter, angry, shaming words? Jesus taught us to act out in love and rebuke evil, not people. As the classic Mahatma Gandhi quote goes, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Let our words be the vessel that someone finds hope, love, comfort, and salvation. Use the power of your voice, whether it's written or spoken, because whatever words you choose will leave an impact. You have the ability to choose what kind of impact you wish to leave on this world.

Love,

A Woman of Worth