The Value of Our Words

God Values Words; We Should Too

As I write this, a Twitter-verse war has erupted about the media using the word lie in relation to our current president. This comes at the same time the Southern Baptist Convention, to put it mildly, is wrestling with careless words spoken by their leader that have negatively affected women for decades. While the quote “actions speak louder than words” is true, our words matter.

Whether spoken, signed, sung, thought, or written, our words direct our responses, make an impact on our emotions, and influence those around us.

Since the beginning of creation, God has used words to communicate with mankind. He talked with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2 and 3) and wrote the Ten Commandments on stone tablets (Exodus 20). In Luke 2:41–51 we learn Jesus discussed the Torah in the temple.

Words Are Valuable to God

In Revelation 1:19 (NIV) God commands John to “write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.”

Exodus 34:27–28 (NIV) says, “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Write down these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.’ Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.”

Jeremiah 30:1–2 (NIV) says, “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.’””

In Deuteronomy 11 parents were told to teach their children and write words on the doorframes of their houses and gates so God could usher the Israelites into the promised land. He said to:

• Write these words so they would remember.
• Write these words on their doorframes so he could fulfill his promise.
• Write all the words he had spoken to them in a book.

God’s words are so important that he created multiple ways for his people to remember them. Songs, such as in the book of Psalms, include repeating phrases. The law was written and read out loud several times a year as part of certain celebrations.

Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV) says, “‘This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord. ‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’”

God puts the words of his law in our minds and on our hearts. Words have the power to affect us intimately. It won’t surprise you to read that our words can harm as easily as they can help. What’s frustrating for many, including me, is that these days the same words can help and harm simultaneously. One person will celebrate a statement while someone else gasps, the wind knocked out of their sails as they ponder how someone they once called a friend celebrates words that cut so deeply.

Regardless of how carefully we choose our words, we’ll eventually offend someone. Too often, what we say is offensive because our words lack grace or are received with the assumption we intended harm even when we didn’t. While we can’t ensure our words will always help and never harm, we can, however, take measures to align our words in a way that delights God.

Matthew 5:33–37 (CSB) says, “Again, you have heard that it was said to our ancestors, You must not break your oath, but you must keep your oaths to the Lord. But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ mean ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one (emphasis mine).

Put into practical application, this might mean following through on a warning of punishment when your child disobeys again. It might mean taking your children for ice cream even when you’re tired because they worked hard to earn a promised reward.

Your yes might include sticking to a commitment when the going gets tough, or sacrificing your time to help in your child’s classroom even when you feel overcommitted.

Your no might mean sticking to a budget for your family’s long-term goals even when a tempting sale pops up or telling your child they can’t attend a birthday party because they’re grounded.

While the process to consistently live out Matthew 5:33–37 takes discipline, I’ve discovered a few things that help.

Impulsive responses are a road to failure.

I’ve had to change my quick response of yes to say instead I’ll check and get back to you. With my kids, I’ve learned to say, “We’ll see, but here’s why this may not work.”

A crammed calendar always lets down someone.

When I book appointments back-to-back without breathing room, I always end up late for something or having to cancel altogether. This also means I have to say no a lot more, but that’s okay because it makes me prioritize my yeses and allows me to commit to each yes fully.

Guilt will get you.

Without fail, I find myself second-guessing a yes or a no. I’ve prayed for rain in the hopes of a canceled soccer game on occasion, just so I won’t have to admit I’ve double booked myself again. This is when I know I need to regroup and start creating space in my calendar…again.

Even with teenage sons, I can’t help but feel guilty when I have to say no to doing something fun and yes to work, but being halfway present is not a healthy solution.

Prayer is important.

The only way I know to confidently make decisions is to pray continually. Short prayers throughout the day help me focus on God and invite him into my day. When I picture him next to me, I slow down to craft my sentences in a way I know will delight him.

The words you choose to speak, write, sign, and sing can reveal the depths of your heart’s desires as well as shine a light on what you despise. Words reflect your character for all to see and hear.

Beth Walker is a football coach’s wife and mom of two energetic boys. She strives to encourage those around her to pursue their best lives in Jesus whether she is near the game field, in church, or at the local coffee shop. As a writer, Beth has been striving to find her voice through seeing Jesus in the ordinary and extraordinary of daily life. She blogs at Lessons from the Sidelines.

Photograph © Annie Spratt, used with permission