I made a phone call on the way home from work, pressed the voice command button on the steering wheel, and listened as a computerized voice instructed, “Say a command.” Within seconds, I spoke with my friend.
I find it amazing how we can make phone calls by just using our voices. This reminds me of God’s powerful voice. Then God said, “Let there be light”, and there was light (Genesis 1:3). He spoke the world and us into being. Jesus Himself is referred to as the Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John1:1, 14).
Our words are powerful. Proverbs 21:23 says, Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Perhaps someone has said something to you that felt hurtful. Maybe you’ve heard gossip and repeated it. But then there were those words of encouragement you needed to start a new project, to calm your mind when you were upset, or to let you know someone cared. We cannot erase things already spoken, but we can choose to make our thoughts and words acceptable to God.
I heard a young mother tell her crying four-year-old, “use your words.” We can also use our words. The study of psychology reveals that words powerfully influence our minds. Words originate physically as thoughts—electrical impulses in the brain—or as sound waves detected by the ears. Our words are the tangible precursors of what we make of our lives, how we view ourselves, and how we affect others. In prayer, they are physical signals that are audible to our Creator.
Let your words edify, not hurt … build up, not destroy … and encourage peace, not bring strife. The world has much negativity and darkness in it, yet we have the power to pierce that darkness with the light of our words. We can hold our tongues when we feel like speaking negatively, voicing our concerns instead to God with praise and thankfulness.
Use your words as a strong force for God’s purposes.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Theresa Fessler is a registered dietitian and nutritionist at the University of Virginia Health System in Charlottesville, Virginia. She is a freelance writer and also a mother and grandmother. She enjoys blessing and encouraging others by writing about spiritual truths that strengthen our walk with Jesus.