The Power of Words

As Iowa prepares for the first in the nation test on the road to the White House, I am reminded of the power of words.

For several months the candidates have been blanketing our state with a myriad of words to express why they should be president. In fact, the presidency itself along with our whole form of government is a creation of words. I previously won five elections as a small town City Council member. Before I could take office, I had to speak words that made a commitment to uphold and defend two groups of words called the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa. These two documents are a testament to the power of words.

It is my belief that our ability to use words is one of the ways in which people are created in the image of God.

God used words to create and so can we. When the Bible describes how God created the heavens and the earth, it was with the use of words. God spoke and said, “Let there be light” and it became so. (Genesis 1:1-5) We also have thoughts and feelings that can be transformed into words and symbols that allow those thoughts and ideas to become a physical reality.

God used words to connect by defining relationships and so can we. When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, a voice from God expressed these words, “this is my son, the beloved. With you I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13-17)  When we call someone a friend or label them as an enemy, we define the relationship as either life giving or destructive. This happens every time we use a word to fill in the blank of this sentence: “I ______ you.”

Stained Glass window in the Chapel at
Genesis Hospital in Davenport

God used the words of prophets to inspire and so can we. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah used words to describe a coming time when predator and prey would lie down together in peace. (Isaiah 65:25) The image of the lion and the lamb has become a timeless icon of a future peace on earth. We can also use our words to inspire people with a vision of peace.

God used the words of Jesus and his followers to encourage and so can we. The risen Jesus gave Peter and the other disciples a mission to carry on his work. He also gave them a vote of confidence by assuring them that could do it. (Acts 1:8) The first letter of Peter encouraged more followers of Jesus to keep going and persevere through times of hardship and suffering. (1 Peter 5:10-12) When we tell someone else that they can do it, it gives them confidence that enables them to do more than they could on their own.

As we head into the Iowa Caucuses and continue in the electoral process, my prayer is that the candidates will use their words to create, connect, inspire and encourage. It is time to end the use of words to demean, damage and dehumanize others.

That’s what I am challenged to do each day as well. The importance of the power of our words cannot be overstated. Here is what Jesus said: I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  (Matthew 12:36-37)

You are created in the image of God and that means that you can use the power of words to create, connect, inspire and encourage the people around you.

How will you use the power of your words?