Ours was a church-going family. We did not stay home, except when sick. (I must confess feigning illness on occasion, but my parents could detect malingering with amazing accuracy.) Every Sunday and without fail, our pastor preceded his sermon with this plea from the psalms: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” 1 Looking back, I still appreciate our pastor’s mindful submission to God’s ultimate authority before speaking on His behalf. Even now I petition the same from time to time; his influence resounds yet today. For our words penetrate deeply, far more than we can imagine, into the souls of those we encounter every day, be they strangers or those we hold dear. Therein lies a divine gift for us all, a ministry of life — the daily privilege to bless others through our speech. Consider the amazing impacts we can have all around us through . . .
Words that strengthen others. Paul, for instance, wrote to the Corinthians in “the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.”2
Words that nourish. “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”3
Words that heal. “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”4
Words of encouragement. “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”5
Words that transform. Wrote Paul to the early church, “We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ.”6
Words that speak life. Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.7
Jesus taught us, “What you say flows from what is in your heart.”8 And the apostle James exhorts us: “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”9 How worshipful it is when we incline our hearts to God and our tongues follow! How powerful when our hearts overflow in praise through our words. Words that strengthen. Words that nourish. Words that heal. Words that encourage. Words that transform. Words that speak life!
Can you imagine the Kingdom impact? The world awaits you — you and the blessing of your words.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Amen.
1 Psalms 19:14 RSV
2 2 Corinthians 13:10 NIV
3 Proverbs 16:24 ESV
4 Proverbs 12:18 NIV
5 Ephesians 4:29 NLT
6 Ephesians 4:14-15 NLT
7 Proverbs 15:4 NLT
8 Luke 6:45 NLT
9 James 3:9-10 NIV
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Paul Nordman—Author 