Today’s Post Written By: Heather Rae Hutzel
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” {Proverbs 15:1}
The Bible constantly reiterates the power of words, but why are our words so powerful? I believe it is because there is something very primal about the spoken word—that which reflects God and comes from God.
Genesis chapter one reveals a very important fact about our existence; we as humans are made in the image of God, in His likeness {Genesis 1:27}. By creating us in His image, God has somehow given us authority and power in our words, just as He has. But words that hold so much power for good have equal opportunity for creating evil. As it is said, as high as we can soar, so far we can fall.
This is displayed nowhere more perfectly than when the angel of light, Lucifer, fell from heaven and became Satan, the prince of darkness. The Bible says, “…he corrupted his wisdom…” {Ezekiel 28:17}, and in John 8:44, Jesus describes Satan as “the father of lies.” When he was banished from heaven, Satan, who was once full of God’s power and glory, in a very real sense became corrupted, and the power to do good with words was contaminated with evil. If words from God bring life, then words from Satan bring death.
There is an enemy, and there is an army of darkness filled with demon warriors. You can’t see them, but they are there. That is why we need the power of God’s words. How do you battle against an invisible army? With an invisible weapon.
We are told in Ephesians 6:17 that the Word of God is a part of our armor for Kingdom warfare. In fact, it is our only offensive weapon. Words that are pure, holy, and of God are a weapon to be used in a very real, spiritual war.
Unfortunately, we are not the only ones who know how to wield the sword of God’s Word. From the very beginning, Satan turned our own weapon against us when he said to Eve, “Did God really say…?” Satan twisted God’s words to make Eve believe a lie about the character of God, to doubt His goodness. To this day, the enemy continues to lie to us, but perhaps the most dangerous lie of all is when Satan convinces us that words, whether good or evil, are not important. He downplays their power and makes us believe that spiritual warfare isn’t real. Nothing could be further from the truth. What better way to immobilize an opponent than to make them believe there is no war to be fought? It is at that very moment that the enemy can seize our weapons and use them to destroy us.
In James 3:9-10, the Bible says, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
We are made in God’s image to be bearers of the words of life. We are to be the ones who mark every single word that departs our lips with the phrase, “It is good.” We are to be an army of light in a world of darkness. How can you do this? By choosing your words carefully. Consider before you speak if your words will bring life or death. And most importantly, speak the Word of God and pray. When you do these things, you are engaging in Kingdom warfare! You are literally striking the enemy with a deadly blow!
I believe God has placed a calling on my life to be His mouthpiece—a messenger for delivering His Word. But God needs an army, not just one soldier. Take a stand today. By opening the eyes of one other person and passing on words of life, you are effectively coming against the enemy and building the Kingdom of God! I’ll see you on the battlefield; there’s a war to be won!
Heather is the author of Amazon’s #1 Bestseller: The Book of Life: The Greatest Story Ever Told
