The Power of Our Words – by Dave Walker

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. JOHN 1:1, 3 (NIV) 

In the beginning God created heaven and earth by His Word. He spoke and Jesus, The Word, made it happen. There's creative power in God's Word. 

Being made in God's image, there's creative power in our words, too, though not in the same way. God's creativity makes something out of nothing. We create something from the raw materials already there. With words, we can transform something innocuous into something good or bad. Winston Churchill's words inspired a nation to win a war, while across the English Channel Hitler's oratory whipped a nation into a frenzy of pride and ruthlessness.

The book of Proverbs tells us the power of the tongue can break a bone, crush the spirit, promote instruction, bring healing to the bones and be sweet to the soul. James tells us that if we can control our tongue we are perfect (James 3:2). How well are you controlling yours? What does it reveal of your heart? I'm discovering that listening to my words and the way I say them can be a very "telling" exercise, frequently bringing me to my knees asking God to purify my heart. Knowing I represent the Word of God, in Jesus, however, helps me guard my mouth. 

Lord Jesus, as the Word of God, put your words in my mouth by putting your attitude in my heart. Amen 

Dave Walker is a retired anaesthesiologist turned writer. He has published a book, God in the ICU on his experiences praying with patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Contact