I wonder how many of you remember this pop group called “The Bee Gees”? I used to love listening to their songs and one of my favourite is “Words” (youtube video). I especially like the ending lyrics: “It’s only words, and words are all I have, to take Your heart away.”
Yes, words are powerful; they can tear you down but they can also take your heart away. Yesterday, a dear brother-in-grace shared with us how he was hurt and angered by his boss’ unkind words, accusing him of not caring for his job even though he had clearly spent many hours, sometimes working through the night till dawn, making sure that his project is completed.
Have you encountered a similar situation? God has words for you (Isaiah 54:17 NLT):
17 But in that coming day
no weapon turned against you will succeed.
You will silence every voice
raised up to accuse you.
These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;
their vindication will come from me.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
At that moment of hurt, you may feel angry and want to curse and swear or simply rant to someone; go ahead, do it (but not at your boss :p)! It’s good for your health to let it all out and not bottle it inside but after a while, remember to “selah” like King David and remember God’s goodness and His promise to you that you will be vindicated by Him.
Conversely, also do know that your words have the power of life – “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” (Proverbs 18:21 MSG) – therefore, choose to speak words of kindness to people as often as you can; those kind words can mean so much to someone who really needed to hear them.
I remember a story I read about Robert “Ironman” Downey Jr. An old lady’s shin was inadvertently cut and bleeding profusely, and RDJ quickly took off his linen jacket and pressed on the wound to stop the bleeding while he talked kindly to the old lady to calm her down as they waited for the ambulance. The lady’s granddaughter was there and in all the mayhem neglected to thank him.
Fifteen years later, the granddaughter saw RDJ in an LA restaurant. She plucked up her courage to approach RDJ and then related her grandmother’s story to him. He remembered the incident. Finally, she thanked RDJ: “I just wanted to thank you, and I wanted to tell you that it was simply the kindest act I’ve ever witnessed.” Can you guess what RDJ did?
He stood up and he took both of the granddaughter’s hands in his and he looked into her eyes and he said, “You have absolutely no idea how much I needed to hear that today.” Yes, even superheroes need to hear words of life.
Finally, and most importantly, remember to speak out God’s Word into your life. Maybe you listen to sermons regularly and read (silently) the bible every day but that is not good enough; you need to speak it out! Why is it necessary?
Isaiah 55:11 NKJV
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 says that God’s Word shall not return to him void and it shall accomplish and prosper in the thing for which He sent it. If you examine the verse closely, you will notice that in order for His Word to accomplish and prosper, His Word has to return to Him! So how do you return God’s Word to God? By speaking it out to Him!
When you are feeling under the weather, speak out His healing: “By His stripes, I am healed!” (Isaiah 53:5)
When you buckling under a financial burden, speak out his provision: “My God shall supply all my needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus!” (Philippians 4:19)
When you are feeling afraid, speak out his protection: “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust!” (Psalm 91:2)
You might say “It’s only words.” but it is not ordinary words… this is not man’s words; it is God’s Word.
Numbers 23:19
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Thanks for great reminder on d importance of speaking God’s Words! I m blessed by this article.
Stanley , your always a blessing mate….It’s so true, we need to speak it out, filling the atmosphere with the sound-waves of God substance and power….
awesome !