The Powerful Word of God

The power of the spoken word is enormous and difficult to fully comprehend. The personal impact of our own speech is that “by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,” and the eternal effects of what we say to others are often just as drastic (Matt. 12:37). According to Solomon in Proverbs 18:21, death and life themselves are in the power of the tongue, meaning our words can either be used as a tool to accomplish “what is good for necessary edification,” or as a deadly weapon that sows seeds of doubt and discouragement (Eph. 4:29).

Unfortunately, using our words to tear down isn’t something that requires special training. Our human nature is to speak before we think, a tendency we must be intentional about overcoming by instead “exercising ourselves toward Godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7). Our goal as Christians should be that our “speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt,” something most people will acknowledge is easier said than done (Col. 4:6).

Because their Divine purpose is “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work,” it goes without saying that God’s words are much more effective than our own (2 Tim 3:17). Our own opinions are fallible and our feelings may at times be fickle, “but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8). The Scriptures in their entirety have been “given by inspiration of God” and possess a potency that simply cannot be matched by human sentiment (2 Tim. 3:16).

Combining the natural power of speech with the Divine power of God’s Word is the perfect formula for what Paul described as “sound speech that cannot be condemned” (Titus 2:8). When we are diligent to prepare ourselves through Scripture memorization for the daily opportunities we encounter to glorify God, we will be uniquely equipped to deliver with boldness the “words of faith” and “good doctrine” hidden safely in our hearts (1 Tim. 4:6).