The Word became flesh and dwelt among us

Choose your words carefully

A word of encouragement doesn’t cost anything to speak, but a word spoken in anger may cost you dearly. I learned that lesson the hard way. Think and then think again before you speak, and you won’t have to wish you could take back anything you say. It’s okay to type out that scathing email, possibly even therapeutic, but don’t press “send”.

Type out that letter outlining how you feel and what you think, and then put that thing in the shredder!

Blessing and cursing

We all have the power to do both. We can speak life or death into a situation, and the words we say do carry weight, even in the spiritual realm.

There is a Bible verse which reminds me of this every time I read it:

They triumphed over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony...

— Revelation 12:11a

This is amazing to me, because I would have thought the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) would be enough. But the word of my testimony plays a part in overcoming Satan! My story of redemption, my attempt to explain where my faith comes from, spoken to the congregation or written in the newspaper has impact on God’s kingdom.

Word with a capital “W”

For the believer, “word” brings to mind two things specifically: The Bible, the Word of God, and Jesus, the Word made flesh. (John 1:14)

As for the former, I believe the Bible gives great instruction on how and when to speak, and what to declare.

Concerning the latter, Jesus more than any other understood the power of the spoken word and demonstrated that power over and over. While on a boat in a storm that frightened seasoned fishermen, He said “peace, be still” and the wind and waves obeyed His command.

I have never cursed a fig tree, but I have turned the air blue with a few expletives strung together. And what did that gain me? Absolutely nothing. It is a far better use of my tongue to align with scripture and use my words to bind or loosen. Bind that which is evil, and loosen that which the enemy has bound, in the name of Jesus.

The Greek word for “word” is logos. It refers to the written word of God, the Holy Bible. It also pertains to Jesus, the Word made flesh. It is in this context that we acknowledge Him as Emmanuel, that is God with us. It is no coincidence that the word Christmas begins with the word Christ. His birth is the entire reason we celebrate.

Happy birthday, Jesus!

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This content is sponsored by Lyle Celebration Center, www.lylecelebrationcenter.org.