The scripture says that the words of God are pure. They are like silver tested by the furnace of the earth and purified seven times. Psalm 12: 6 here postulates that words are meant to be pure. Our God who created the whole universe by mere words made it abundantly clear that our words carry weight. Our words are like silver. Our words can edify. Our words can convict us. Our words can acquit us. It reminds of the law court. In the course of my job in the UK, I take people to court. For weeks I prepare my case by carefully wording my statement as a claimant with evidence that will give me victory on the defendant.
I have to prepare the case and choose statements that will grant me the kind of order I am requesting from the court. Yes, the judge must have had a foreknowledge of the case through the court forms and statements sent to him or her before hearing date.
Still on the hearing date, I still have to defend my statements right in the middle of the court. Until that fateful hearing date, the judge is impartial. Until I speak………….Thereafter if the judge is convinced by my words then I will be granted the order I specifically requested for. However if the defendant words carry more weight, factual and reasonable than mine, my order will be declined. Technically, my words has convict me and the case is lost.
I have to go into this small nugget of my work life to enact the power of the word we speak. The scripture is littered with warnings on the wrong words. The Bible made it known that in the beginning was the word, the word was God and the word was with God. God spoke all things into existence. He says let there be light. Once the word is out, obedience has to follow. Oro jade ase gun, so to speak in Yoruba. As Christians what is the worth of our words? What kind of words come out of our mouth? Does the word we speak edify Christ? Are we arrogant in words? Are we humble like a lamb? Does our word inflame? Does it calm and offer comfort? Is our language corrosive? Are our words reassuring and comforting? Do we offend with what comes out of our mouth?
Do we ever meditate on our words? Do we use words to flatter, challenge, criticize or offer support and encouragement? As parents are we proud of the words we use on our innocent children? Are we supposed to chastise, criticize and convict with our words? Or are we supposed to use our words to uplift, strengthens and build our kids? As a wife, how do you address your husband in when in anger and under pressure? As husband, how do you relate to your wife with words? Do you answer her gruffly or gently? What is your standard? Do you measure your words in accordance with God’s prescription or just allow your mouth to run wild anytime you speak? Are your words wounding and soothing? Let us probe the scripture for counsel. James 3: 2-10 is a long treatise on the power of words. The power of the tongue and what it can do to our salvation. It opens by saying thus: “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……even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles. And 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. 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. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not to be so.”
The question now is this: what is coming out of your tongue? Curse or blessing on yourself, family and the world at large? Is your tongue setting friends, family and neighbourhood on fire or bringing cohesion and love? King David in Psalm 19:14 lay down a sure ground rule. David asks, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight.” This is suggesting that the words we speak have tremendous power to heal or injure. Further, King Solomon in Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
In the African society we say words very carelessly. We curse our children on daily basis. You must have heard many parents called their children “mad”, “mentally deranged”, “useless boy/girl,” “imbecile”, “failure” and many other ruinous curses on innocent destinies. Curses projected through our words are rolled out on a daily basis in our society. Bus conductors send out curses on passengers. Passengers return them all back to sender. Parents have unwittingly curse their children and such children are suffering under such curse today. People like these need deliverance from parental curse issued in moments of extreme pressure, provocation or disappointment.
In closing, Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your words always be with grace, seasoned with salt that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Christians in answering should not be like the rich man in Proverbs 18:23 who answers roughly while the poor uses entreaties. As Christians our words must edify Christ at all times. Our words must be able to release healing, assurance, hope and encouragement at all times. Our words must be calm and full of love and warmth. Our words must not convict and shame our Christian values and bring disgrace to the Way. And words should acquit us in every circumstances of life. It is then that we can pronounce like Apostle Paul that we are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…… From now on, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns, spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” – Colossians 3: 16. Change your word and change your destiny. Happy Sunday.
. Deacon Oladeji writes from ridet@hotmail.co.uk.
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