The Mystery of Words (Part 2)

GREETINGS, beloved. In our previous message, we explored the mystery of words — how the Word of God warns us about careless speech and how words can influence destinies, either positively or negatively.

We emphasised that it is God’s desire for His people to understand the power of proper speech. Words are incredibly powerful, they can bring life or cause death.

Today, in this season, God desires to teach us how to speak correctly. We recall that the first time words were spoken was in Genesis 1, during the creation of the Heavens and the earth. From that foundation, we can understand that there are seven reasons why God gave us words. I will focus on two of these reasons for now.

Why were words given to humans?
It is crucial to recognise that we are the only beings created in God’s image — besides angels — that were given the gift of words.

Have you ever wondered why animals, such as cows, donkeys or dogs, were not endowed with speech? The reason is that there would have been a community of rebellious animals, speaking and possibly causing chaos. Imagine a scenario where a cow refuses to plough a field, saying, “I’m tired.” Such a world would have been filled with pain and disorder far beyond what we experience now.

We thank God that we were created in His image. Psalm 8 asks, “What is man that You are mindful of him?” One sign of being made in God’s image is our ability to create or destroy through words. Because of this, God does not take our words lightly.

The purpose of words:
God gave us words primarily for two reasons:
(i) To transmit spiritual energy
(ii) To exercise dominion

Last time, we discussed that words are seeds planted in the cosmos—the atmosphere that surrounds us. Like seeds in the ground, words carry potential, they seek out nutrients and grow over time. Sometimes, the harvest of our words is not immediately visible but manifests later in the lives of our children, our churches, our nations, our spouses or ourselves.

Think of words as seeds taking time to grow, depending on the environment — our “cosmos.” Each person is a farmer of words. For example, a husband carries a seed that he plants in his wife’s womb, leading to pregnancy. Similarly, when a young man casually speaks negative words over a child, he might unknowingly be planting a seed that will later produce a harvest.

Words, whether spoken in jest or seriousness, do not escape the spirit realm. The spirit does not distinguish between joking and genuine intent — they are all seeds sown into the ground of the cosmos. These seeds will eventually produce results.
The power of words in authority

Ecclesiastes 8:4 states, “Where the word of a king is, there is power.” Revelation 5:10 reminds us that God has made us kings and priests. As kings, our words establish laws in the spiritual realm. Kings rule by decree — by spoken words. Our God, the King of kings, demonstrates this with His spoken word, which always comes to pass.

As priests, we serve at the altar through prayer — our words. When we pray, God responds to our spoken words because He understands them. Salvation itself is initiated through our confession, believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. It is through words that we receive salvation.

The dangers of negative speech

Leviticus 19:16 warns us against being talebearers — spreaders of rumours and lies. Such speech makes us agents of the devil, damaging the body of Christ, families and communities.

When we hear wrongdoings, it is not our duty to spread stories. Instead, we should approach our brother or sister privately to correct them.

Churches, families and organisations are often torn apart not primarily because of the devil, but because of negative words spoken among members. Speaking negatively about others — about your marriage, country, children or workplace — has destructive consequences.

The impact of evil speaking

Evil speaking affects three groups:
(i) The speaker — it can destroy the one who speaks maliciously.
(ii) The subject of the speech — it damages their reputation and character (James 4:11-12).
(iii) The listener or receiver — it can influence and corrupt those who hear it.

Therefore, we must ask God to teach us the law of proper speech — to know when to speak, when to remain silent, and how to speak rightly. May God deliver our lips and heal our tongues, giving us the “tongue of the learned” (Isaiah 50:4), so we can speak words in season — words that build rather than destroy.

The responsibility of our words

Many pastors, parents, CEOs and citizens have caused destruction through careless or malicious words. As believers, we will give an account for the seeds of words we have sown, which may have corrupted destinies.

Let us seek God’s grace to repent, uproot the seeds of destruction and plant seeds of life through our words.
Invitation to salvation

If you have not yet received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to do so now. Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you shall be saved.

May God’s blessings be upon you all. Amen.

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