"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1
Do you ever wonder why Jesus was called "the Word"? The Blue Letter Bible says, “Jesus is called, 'the Word of God'." Although Scripture does not define what is meant by that term, it could refer to the fact that He is the personification of the written and spoken word. The testimony that God revealed through the prophets during the Old Testament period was now made human with the coming of Christ. Hence, "the Word became flesh” (John 1:14).
Or did you ever think about how truly word-centered God is? The amazing fact that God spoke the world into existence is a starting point for understanding. Psalm 33:6a says, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.” Not only that, the Lord gave His creation speech! Psalm 65:13 says, “The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys are decked with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing.”
Genesis Bible Fellowship Church shared the following about the gift of speech on their website: “The ability to speak comes so naturally that we are apt to forget what a miracle it is,” quotes Steven Pinker, author. We are made in the image of the God who communicates, this wonderful gift speech. God spoke and gave Adam instructions about life in the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:15-17, 19). Adam named all created living creatures (Gen. 2:19b, 20a). Adam spoke of his wife Eve at first sight (Gen. 2:23). There was ongoing communication between God and man as supported in Bible Scripture (Gen. 3).”
God also talks about the power of the tongue. Psalm 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."
One of the many joys of being a parent is when babies start to communicate. Very early on, it’s a smile that eventually progresses into cooing where although they cannot speak words, their coos match the inflections in our voices, and in their own little way, they are conversing with us. We start to feel more and more connected to them through this means of communication. Then, of course, they speak their first words, and before you know it, you are having little conversations with your child which gives you so much joy and you can sense more and more your child’s love for you. Words, indeed, convey love. Love for each other and, especially, through the written Word, the love of the Father toward His children.
Our words show what is in our hearts, which is why it is so important to remember from a Kingdom perspective how much words matter—the words we consume and the words we speak.
Let’s look at three ways to ensure that our words matter in the Kingdom of God:
Before I became a believer, I started attending a Protestant church. Coming from Catholic roots, this was outside my comfort zone, but I felt that I was being called to attend. This particular church had a banner on each side of the stage area with the following verses: “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17) and “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). I would always sit and ponder the phrase “confess with your mouth." The Apostle Paul expands upon what this means in Romans 10:10, which says, “For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” The moment of salvation comes when we confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord. We are essentially declaring Jesus' lordship over our lives. When we say things out loud, it brings life to them. Confessing our faith and trust in Jesus as Lord reinforces what we believe in our hearts.
We have received the words of Jesus and acted upon them through our confession to submit to His lordship. Speaking those very words brings with it the power of the Holy Spirit who comes to abide with us and will ultimately raise our mortal bodies from death to life. Not only that, the Holy Spirit will continue to bring words to our recollection at just the right time.
As believers in Christ Jesus, our initial words of faith must not end at the moment of salvation, but we must continue to listen for that “still small voice” and obey those words (1 Kings 19:12). The Holy Spirit leads us in all Kingdom work that was prepared for us to do before the world began, and so we must heed those words and walk in them.
As a new believer in Christ, I was attending a Bible study with new friends from the Protestant church I mentioned above. Right out of the gate of my Christian walk, I knew how important the Scriptures were. I had such a love for the Word and I craved reading it because, now, they made sense! You see, a couple of years earlier, before I gave my life to Christ, I had a Christian neighbor who gave me a Bible and said that God would speak to me through it, but when I read it, I wasn’t understanding anything! Yet, now that I had the Holy Spirit, I understood and soaked it all in! I was hardcore. I had a Vine’s Dictionary and Strong's Concordance. They truly were words of life to me.
It’s so important to consume God’s life-giving Word daily. The precious words of love contained within give us hope and encouragement, conviction and redirection, wisdom and knowledge. And that which you consume will overflow through your words and actions. he more time you can set aside for Bible reading, the better, but I certainly know there are times and seasons that make it difficult to spend hours in Bible reading. When I had a toddler and was a busy young mom, I literally set up a Bible in each room, including the bathroom! When I had a free moment, even if I only had time to read one verse, God would meet me in my genuine intention and speak life over me.
Currently, my life is not as busy, and so I have more time to devote to Bible reading. As a result, I have discovered that journaling through what I am reading in the Bible has done wonders for my retention and comprehension. Many people do better reading their Bibles first thing in the morning. Some do better in the evening. Whatever time works for you as long as you are coming to the Word with a genuine desire to consume the Word of Life, you will experience the abundant life Jesus died for you to have.
The blessings that God gives you through His Word will be apparent to all those who interact with you. You just can’t come away from the Scriptures without your life and words overflowing in a testimony that brings Glory to God. Talk about mattering in the Kingdom of God!
Do you ever feel like you are being watched? As believers in Christ Jesus, we may be the most watched people out there! Some are watching us in awe of the joy and peace that flows from us. Sadly, others are watching to hopefully catch us in something so they can proclaim, “Those hypocrites!”. Still, others watch us and decide that we are weak-minded sheep without a mind of our own. Whatever the reason, remember you are being watched. Don't forget the saying, “You may be the only Bible a person reads.”
Something I am often convicted of is my complaining, especially if I am complaining to someone who doesn’t know the Lord. My complaints are conveying that I am discontent and unhappy with my life. I am essentially “saying” that I am not happy with the circumstances God has allowed in my life and that I am not trusting Him with the outcome.
Worse yet, what if our words sound no different than the world's words? A person meeting us for the first time may not even have an inkling that we are Christ followers just by our words. That’s a very sad commentary. Or, they may know we are Christians and think, “Wow! They sure don’t act like one!” So how should a Christian act? Ephesians 4:29-32 tells us, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Do you notice how this verse leads with the importance of our words?
James 3:8-10 says, “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”
Let's think before we speak. Ask yourself, Is what I’m about to say going to bring glory to God or drag His name through the mud? Matthew 10:19b-20 says, “... do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”
Friend, listen to that still small voice, for the Holy Spirit certainly watches your words.
Remember, when you watch your words, they will have a great impact for the Kingdom of God.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Motortion
Karen Del Tatto is a blogger, author, women's ministry leader, pastor's wife, mom, and grandmother who is passionate about the Word of God. Her blog Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge and her books Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry, A 30-Day Devotional and Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal reveal her heart for providing Biblical insights to encourage women to grow in and through their struggles while equipping them to overcome. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island and enjoy walks in the woods, owling, and spending time with their grandchildren.