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The inspired and inerrant Word of God says a lot about words. Words can convey images and intense emotions. Words can injure and leave lasting scars. From Proverbs we read that word can destroy one’s friends and crushes their spirit. But gentle words bring life and health. Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Words have the power of life and death. Words of wisdom refresh like as a bubbling brook. Or, they can be a sword or a salve.

The Bible also says words can bring personal trouble, be the small spark that starts a forest fire, reveal hypocrisy, tell lies, and disguise deceit. Yet, God says we should speak evil of no one, avoid quarreling, be gentle, show perfect courtesy to all, and prohibit corrupting talk from our mouths. Why? One reason is we will give an account for every careless word we ever uttered.

God’s words can change hearts. The words of those who claim that change should have gracious speech seasoned with salt. Because the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart, we shall treasure the Bible so we can guard against the sin that ill-fit words bring.

God’s Word can help us avoid sin and pursue godliness, motivate us praise; encourage a pure lifestyle; reveal purpose and wisdom for daily life; give encouragement, hope and comfort; provide the basis for truth, honesty, and integrity; bring freedom, protection and peace, provide discernment; and motivate us to pray.

After all of that (and more), I must ask myself if God’s word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.

Norm Miller can be contacted at nmiller@montanacc.edu