Words…
In all creation only Adam and Eve were given this gift: words. From the beginning God put language into His image bearers.
Imagine this task: “So the LORD God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one.” (Genesis 2:19 NLT) Perfection had not yet been lost to sin and Adam studied the creatures and named them appropriately. So sharp was his mind, he didn’t forget by the time he got to the Zebra’s what he had called the Ants.
And daily Adam (and Eve) walked and talked with God Himself and words were life and life was in the Word.
We throw words around carelessly these days. From angry outbursts to thoughtless tweets, we forget: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36 NIV) Want to really have a reason to think about the words we use? Read Matthew 12:33-37.
To those gifted with speech much is required.
Thing is, God knows every word we’re gonna say even before we say it. He knows our thoughts, our intentions. All is laid bare before Him. The only one we fool is ourselves and sometimes our hearers.
Yet for those who ask Jesus to take over their heart there is hope. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NIV) The Word of Life, Jesus Christ, makes a way for those careless words to be wiped away. A way for hearts to put away foolish talk. Always a Way…
When Jesus is our life then His Holy Spirit is in us – so in us then is the Word. And the Word is life everlasting. We’re works in progress and words are part of the work. God’s will is that our words are lifted up to Him in prayer. That our words are used to encourage and to build up others. That our words are few.
“When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19 HCSB) The Word is calling us to use our words carefully.
parisrenae 
Thank you for the sober reminder that words count and have power. I often blather (usually when I’m nervous).
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Right? It is a gift but also a learning tool to teach us. His ways are the best…
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Words are how I make a living, or rather how God provides my living. I love this. So many thoughts about words I hadn’t connected at once before. Thank you!
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It is sobering isn’t it? So grateful to have Him fill us and use us with words – and there to help when we mess them up 🙂
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Ahhh, Renae. I’ve had to pray about my words every day for years now. You’re right that we tend to throw words carelessly around, not usually stopping to consider how they might impact others. Thanks for the reminder of what a great gift words are.
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Yes, a great verse given to me by a godly woman years ago, Psalm 141:3 – I’ve been a work in progress ever since.
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Thank you for those words of wisdom!
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11
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Father, may our words please You and daily may we seek You as we use the gift of language to shine Your light. In Jesus’ Name Amen 🙂
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Good reminder. My words slip me up so often. And communicating, really communicating with another person, especially if they communicate differently than you do, can be so hard. And yes, we can’t fool God, but we often fool ourselves with our words. But I like how God made a way. He thinks of everything, Never leaving us in despair.
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So very true, never leaves us and always a way – praising God with you for His mercies and His unfailing love. Blessings as you share the gift…
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