The Big Deal About Why Words Matter

Artwork by Mackenzie Warren

Why do words matter?  

BEEN THERE, ASKED THAT

Think of the continuing impact of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Here we are decades later believing in his words. Think about the quotes you read on Instagram that have gone viral. Think about the words someone said to you that have made you become the person you are today — whether good or bad. Consider words you have said which you wish you could take back.

There is power in a person’s words.

There is even greater authority in God’s words.

GO ON

We’re told God spoke the world, the universe, everything we know and beyond into existence. That’s impressive and commanding. Today, we may be smart with voice recognition and voice controlled systems — “Hey Google, turn on the lights.” “Hey Siri, call mom on speaker” — yet we haven’t got so far as “Hey Google, make me scrambled eggs.” I wish. We’ll get there one day. And you read it here first! The power, however, to create something out of nothing with only words is beyond our ability.

But, at the beginning of time when nothing existed, there was something. It was called the Word.

Jesus is described as the Word. “Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God” says John when talking about Jesus. Then John says, “The Word became a man and lived among us.”

And that Word, Jesus, while on earth spoke life-giving words. He healed people by speaking over them. He brought back to life a young girl and a man with a single command. He ordered nature to obey him. Storms subsided. Plants withered.

Jesus’ words have power today.

Jesus’ words transform lives. They have changed mine. They bring life where once we had no hope. They give us eternal perspectives. They take away fear.

And we can read those words in God’s Word, the Bible. We can speak God’s words over other people, and we can recite them to ourselves because they are life-giving and life-changing.

GETTING THE WORD INSIDE US

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Hebrews 4:12 MSG

Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 2 Timothy 3:16 CEV

Jesus answered, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.’” Matthew 4:4 CEV

THE RADIANT WOMAN believes in the power of the Word.