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The average person spends one-fifth of his or her life talking. In fact, if all of our words were put into print, the words from a single day would fill a 50-page book. In a year’s time the average person’s words would fill 132 books of 200 pages each! There would be 26,400 pages of print in one year’s time. These words hold life and death according to Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Words are one of the most powerful things on earth. They make a difference in our lives. Words evoke an emotion and a response. We were told as children that words could never hurt us, but nothing could be further from the truth. Words cannot only hurt, they can kill someone emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We must choose our words carefully, and when we choose to speak God’s word to those around us, we speak life.
Isaiah 55:10-11 proclaims, “10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” The words of the Lord brings life, peace, and comfort to those around us. Jesus said in Matthew 4:4, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Our words cannot and will not produce life, but the words of God bring life to the soul of man. When we think of words, we automatically think of speaking with others, but I find myself talking to myself often. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:19, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” When I begin to quote a verse of scripture to myself, I immediately feel better.
The Bible says that at the end of Daniel’s three weeks of fasting and praying for an answer from God, the angel Gabriel appeared to Daniel and said to him, “I have come because of your words.” (Daniel 10:12) So when angels hear you saying, “Thank You, Father, no evil shall befall me nor shall any plague come near my dwelling,” (Psalm 91:10) they will come to your aid because you are giving voice to God’s Word. Even if you cannot quote the verse perfectly, they can still come to your rescue. This was what happened to a lady in the United States. While walking home after an evening church service, she was attacked from behind by a man and dragged toward a dark corner in an alley. In that frantic state, she remembered only one word from that evening’s sermon. So she shouted, “Feathers! Feathers!” Her attacker released her and fled! Feathers? What did she mean? She was actually referring to Psalm 91:4: “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge.” In that state of panic, she remembered only one word –“feathers,” and it was enough to cause her attacker to flee. You see, it is not your ability to quote an entire verse perfectly that releases God’s power, but faith in His Word and His love for you. And one word from Him is enough to send your enemies scurrying away.
Our words are just like seeds. A seed is alive: it contains life. A seed does nothing until planted. A seed is much smaller than the plant it produces. A seed always produces after its kind. A seed is powerful. A seed begins its growth in secret (underground). A seed takes time to produce. More seeds planted produce a larger harvest. We should speak God’s word when are in conversation, prayer, singing, and any other time we need reminding. These seeds will begin to grow in ourselves and in those around us.
(The Solution Column is provided by Pastor Brandon Young of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton)