In my very first semester at Southeastern University, I had to write a paper on the power of the written word, from a Christian perspective. I cried several times throughout the writing of the paper as I was learning things such as how to write a cover page, set up proper margins, and properly cite quoted work. My first submission came back with a C and a note from the professor, “Let’s set up a time to talk.” My second submission came back with a B+ and a note, “Almost there! I know you have an A in you! If you fix the areas I’ve highlighted, you will make that A!” I fixed the areas and submitted the paper one last time, A+ and a note from the professor, “Now you’re on the right foot!” Following is the result of a patient professor who knew words of encouragement were needed!
From the very beginning of time, it was the spoken word that created the world and gave it life. It was also the spoken word that brought death to a perfect creation. God had given a mandate to Adam, he could eat of any tree in the garden, except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Upon eating this tree, he would surely die. The enemy didn’t use an earthquake to get Eve’s attention, he used the power of words. Looking at today’s world you can see that he’s still up to his old tricks. This is why Christians need to understand the power of their words, whether written or spoken. In an article for Christianity Today, Meadow Rue Merrill writes,
For the Christian writer, the worth of our work does not lie in the marketability of our words or in what honors we may win; it lies in how our work furthers the kingdom of God. If our goal is to write a bestseller, we may achieve it. But if our goal is to write in response to the impulse of God, we may forgo temporal approval to achieve something far greater – or we may attain both. The result of our work is beyond our control. As Christians, we are simply called to be faithful.[1]
When Brett and I became missionaries, I started this blog with the sole purpose of telling the stories of our daily lives. I didn’t want to make money or a have huge following, I just wanted a way to express myself. It was in the writing of the blog that I realized just how powerful our words are and the effects that our words have on others. We had just been through an extremely hard season in eSwatini when I sat down at the kitchen table and penned these words;
Where Are You Lord?
Oh Lord, where are you in the midst of my drowning? The waves continually crash over me, dragging me to the rocky, murky bottom. The coral that you created to have beauty, is ripping me to pieces with their sharp, jagged edges. My feet are caught between rocks and my body is being wrapped up in the kelp as the waves continue to push me downward into the abyss. My lungs fight for air as my heart burst and is broken over the words, “The baby has died.” Oh Lord, where are you” Wave after wave after wave has pushed me further and further and further under. I grab, I reach, I strain for someone to pull me up, but there is no one there. They are all safely tucked away in their boats of safety, behind their wall of, “Why should I care, she chose this life.” I can no longer fight, I release the breath that I’ve been holding. I give up. Oh Lord, where are you? And then I look up. A strong arm! A mighty arm! You are here! Here in the midst of the mighty storm that seeks to drown me. Here! My very present help in time of need. Here! Saying, “Peace! Be still!” You are speaking words to my heart that only I can hear. You restore my torn and battered flesh. You breathe your breath of life into my lungs. You gently gather every shattered piece of my heart and lovingly put it back together. You pull me onto your lap and continue to speak words of encouragement and refreshing to me. You are mine. You are beautiful. I will never leave you. You are priceless. You did not fail. You are my beloved. Be healed.
These written words poured out in a moment of despair, and helped others find healing in their grief. I was overwhelmed that my words had held such power. However, to show how words can also lead to death, I must also share the following.
While serving in Africa, we found out just how strong the power of words, especially curses, can actually be. We worked with a young woman who had a beautiful daughter. When her daughter was one, she found out she was pregnant again. Her neighbors were not happy that she got pregnant “so soon” after her firstborn and they spoke curses over her. “I curse you and tell you that this baby will die.” Though she is a Christian, she took these words to heart and indeed, her baby died. This is the reason that most African women don’t tell anyone that they are pregnant, nor do they talk about it. And no one touches a pregnant woman’s belly. The belief is that if someone touches the belly they will put a curse on the mother and the baby and these curses cannot be broken. The power of words is that strong.
Matthew 12:36-37 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. I know that this scripture especially states words they speak, but I believe that the written word also falls into this. It is a heavy thing to know that we will give account for every idle word. When we write we must pay attention to our words and make sure that they are words of life and not death.
“We never know – perhaps the seeds we sow in our writing and our teaching of writing will someday bear fruit.”[2] Icy Lee.
[1] Meadow Merrill, “The How and Why of Writing as a Christian,” Christianity Today, December 11, 2019. Accessed, April 17, 2021. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2019/december-web-only/write-better-andrew-lepeau-editor-intervarsity.html?utm_medium=widgetemail
[2] Icy Lee, “Living Out the Christian Faith in the Writing Classroom,” International Journal of Christianity & English Language Teaching, Volume 2, March 2015.
Wendy Roseman 