Words of Power

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Colossians 4:6

She had a vivacious personality. She loved to have fun and laughed often. She was a girl people loved being around, until a group of jealous classmates started a vicious rumor about her. Later, the rumor was proved to be untrue, but the damage was done. The victim’s reputation was stained. Throughout our school days, she was never the same.

The child’s rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is quite untrue. The spoken word is powerful. Words have the power to do great harm, but they also have power to do great good.

How can I be sure that my words are used for good? By aligning my words with the Word of God. God’s Word powerfully transforms. In the beginning God spoke and darkness was shattered. God spoke and the universe came into being. God spoke and the diseased and maimed were healed. God spoke and the dead were raised. God spoke to my heart, and I became a new person.

God’s Word is powerful and needs to be heard by all. People all around us are living in darkness and confusion. They need to hear truth that will transform them. People are in despair and need to hear words of hope and encouragement. People are lost and need direction. People are dying and need the words of eternal life. Believer, how well do you know God’s Word so that you can speak His truth to others? How diligently are you studying and proclaiming His Word?

What will I choose today? Will my conversations be filled with evil words that bring harm to others? Will my words be wasted? Will my conversation be filled with that which is meaningless and temporary? Or will I seek to share God’s truth to someone living in confusion? To those living in darkness and despair, will I share the word of life and hope found only in the Word of God?

Lord, use my words today for good and for Your glory. Speak your truth through me to those who need to hear.

Jan Burkhart