Words matter, but we’re drowning in them – websites, books, conversations, songs, magazines, social media, news.
Some words are deeply damaging – speech used to lie, exaggerate, promote division, seek power, demean opponents. Many words are trivial. Can any of us remember what we saw on social media today? Some words are good and true. But in the flood of words, it can be hard to tell what’s true and false, and even true speech is easily washed away.
It’s easy to become cynical. And yet words matter, because of who God is and who He created and redeemed us to be.
God’s speech and ours
God is by nature a speaking God. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God. And the Word was God’ (John 1:1-2). God created and sustains all things by his Word. ‘And God said…’ (Gen. 1:3, 5, 6, etc.). His word is powerful and true, and all reality is shaped by what He says. In contrast, all other so-called gods are dumb (Ps. 115:5,7).
Humans can speak because we were created in God’s image and spoken to (Gen. 1:26-28). Our speech is the speech of creatures. This means that the measure of human speech is God’s own speech. As His creatures, we are called first to listen to God’s word, and only then to speak.
But what does God want us to say? Good human speech is addressed to God in praise, thanksgiving, confession and prayer. It is also addressed to one another, for knowledge of the truth and mutual upbuilding (Eph.4:15, 25, 29).
Good human speech has integrity (Ps.37:30-31). It is truthful, matching reality. It respects and promotes healthy relationships between speaker and hearer. Above all, good human speech is animated by fear of God and speaks for His glory (Col. 3:17).
Sadly, however, human speech is not what it should be: we speak as sinners.
Sinful speech
Sinful speech occurs when we refuse God’s word and prefer our own interpretation of reality. It originates with Satan, the ‘father of lies’ (Gen. 3; John 8:44).
But sinful speech is not just about falsehood. As the father of lies, Satan is a murderer (John 8:44). Speech is a matter of love and hatred, life and death. Lying speech brings death, and sinners embrace lies and destroy with their words (Ps.12:1-4; Rom.3:10-18). The Bible warns us repeatedly of the destructive power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21; James 3:5-10).
Wonderfully, though, God has not left us to our own words and Satan’s lies.
God’s speech redeems
In response to Adam and Eve’s rejection of His word, God speaks and promises salvation (Gen.3:15). He speaks to Abraham and makes a covenant (Gen.12:1-3). He calls to Moses from the burning bush (Ex.3). He saves and gathers His people to instruct them (Ex.20). He puts His words in the mouths of prophets, with power to destroy and to build (Jer. 1:9-10).
At the climax of it all, the Word Himself became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The Lord Jesus’ words are words of eternal life (John 6:63-69). They are trustworthy and true (Rev. 21:5; 22:6) because He is faithful and true (Rev. 3:14; 19:11). In Him, truthful, life-giving human speech is restored.
Implanted in our hearts, His word brings us to new birth (James 1:18-21; 1 Pet 1:22-25). It teaches us the truth and trains us for godliness (John 15:26-27; 16:12-15; 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:14-17). It builds the church (Eph. 2:20; 4:11-16).
Our speech redeemed
As those born again by God’s word, we are delivered from slavery to sinful speech and set free to speak well again. In a world of lies, how should Christian speech be different?
First, our speech should be the speech of eager listeners to the Bible, the word of God.
Secondly, our speech should be marked by rejection of lies and serious concern for truth (Eph. 4:14-15, 25). Honesty and clarity of speech is far more important than popularity (2 Cor. 4:2).
Thirdly, our speech must be shaped by love (Eph. 4:15). It is perfectly possible to say true words that are harsh and proud and rude. But that is worthless speech: a noisy gong and clanging cymbal (1 Cor.13:1).
Fourthly, our speech should aim for building others up, not tearing down. It should match the relationship we have with our hearer. It should be fitting to the occasion. And it should be accompanied by the prayer that it may give grace to those who hear (Eph. 4:29).
In a world of noisy chatter, this kind of speech may not be popular. But God says it’s beautiful: like apples of gold in settings of silver (Prov. 25:11).
