The Power of the Word(s)

"O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!"~Psalm 139:1-6 NLT


Email has opened up communication in so many different ways. We are able to stay in touch with others with one click of the mouse. Snail mail is used just a fraction of what it once was for correspondence purposes. This instantaneous communication resource leaves us faced with new ways of thinking about the words we choose to communicate and the responsibility that comes with them. 


Communication is the power of words that hold within them the responsibility to represent who we are and what we are trying to reflect to others. If you're like me, you've had that moment when you sent a friend an email that was misunderstood.  As you read back what you wrote, you suddenly began to see how the words may have been misinterpreted. The tone of humor couldn't be felt with that silly line you wrote, or the depth of your pain was looked upon in an accusatory way toward the reader. When a reply is received, you find yourself totally stunned.  How could this person not know me better than this? I wouldn't write something that would reflect that about me. Now,what to do?


Yes, we can find ourselves in trouble with the power of words. It's then, that we must turn to the power of the Word. Fortunately, God knows exactly what we meant in that email, and for that matter in every word we use. He doesn't misinterpret what we are thinking, writing, or saying. Oh dear! Now, that is going to get me in trouble. I continue to find myself saying things I wish I hadn't said, and when I realize that God knows what I said and the reason I said it, I can find myself wishing I could hide from God. But, as the psalmist writes, God's "knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" He knows everything about me! Everything! Even before I ask for forgiveness, He knows my need for confession and forgiveness before I ask. 


Well, here comes that responsibility part that is often easier to put aside. If God knows us completely, don't we have a responsibility to examine our own hearts as well? Where did those words come from? What motivated us to make the wrong decisions? What allowed us to think that somehow we were more entitled than others? Even the questions are uncomfortable because I've had to ask them many times. The power of God's Word in Proverbs 14:20-22 tells us, "Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success." NLT We know who our main Adviser is,and in order to use the power of words in our lives to represent who we are, or even more importantly who God wants us to be, we need to study His Word to responsibly to stay on the right path. 


Words are such a gift. Each word we choose tells more of a story about who we are than the story we're telling. Don't underestimate the power of choosing not to use words. Some things are truly better left unsaid. So, stop and think about the words you choose to communicate with others and especially those you love. Do your words or lack of them reflect the love of Jesus in you?


Great Adviser,


Guide us through your Word to become more responsible with the words we choose in our daily lives. Let the words we reflect to others be honorable and bring joy to you.


Amen