Question: Do the words that we use like naming something, have an effect on them. For example, I have heard that if you give a child a name you are speaking that over them every time you call their name. Also in the Bible names often got changed.
Last week we saw that God’s wisdom has a lot to say about the significance of words especially regarding our relationships with others. Words have the power to influence, build up, or cause harm. Our goal should be careful and thoughtful speech. This week let’s look beyond the proverbs and continue to see the significance of words according to scripture.
Look at Matthew 12:34-37 (NIV): “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Jesus is addressing the Pharisees here and brings about another very important truth regarding words, that is that words reveal a deeper reality about the heart of the individual. Some people may speak words that sound good, but in enough time, especially when the guard has been lowered, words will reveal the deeper issues of beliefs as well as character.
As Christians, unwholesome words, gossip, vile, or hateful speech proves we’re not walking closely with the Lord. As we spend time with the Lord, loving Him and keeping His commandments, our words will change because our heart will change. Look at Colossians 3:16 (NIV), “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” As we fill our hearts with the message of Christ, our words will become agents of change and encouragement for others, leading them to the Lord. Words are impactful.
Now look at Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” This is part of Paul’s instructions in godly living. A major call to believers is that we guard our words using them the way God intended and the way He used His words, to edify and build up, to infuse love and truth into a lost and dying world. God illustrates how important guarding our tongue really is in James 3:5-6 (NIV), which says, “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” This is powerful language here. The tongue that makes great boasts is something we’re quite familiar with. There was a saying my parents taught me growing up, that is, “don’t write a check your butt can’t cash.” What is that? It’s a tongue spouting off, without consideration of the consequences. Remember the domino effect? If you knock one down, they all get knocked down. What may seem like a small spark can really cause some damage, likewise, the tongue untamed and unguarded can really destroy a lot in its wake.
Contrary to this though is a tongue that is guarded. Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV) says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” In our speech towards believers, unbelievers, or witnesses of our life in general, we must take heed to season our answers with salt. We represent Christ on this earth and our words are such a huge part of that representation. We’ll never be perfect at this, but we should always press towards that goal.
I hope you’re seeing the significance and practical application of speaking words according to scripture. Next week I will move towards answering your second part of your question regarding names.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée
