It does not take long when reading Scripture to recognize that the God of Scripture is a communicating being.[i] One cannot get through the first chapter of Genesis without observing the power of God Speaking.[ii] God speaks fourteen different times in the first chapter of Genesis alone.[iii] At the outset of the Old and New Testaments, one finds a high value placed upon words. The Old Testament presents God speaking things into existence.[iv] This is contrasted with the outset of the New Testament, where Christ is presented as the very embodiment of God’s Word.[v]
A person cannot separate the God of Scripture from being one who has revealed Himself through His spoken words.[vi] Yet, the God of Scripture has not only revealed Himself through spoken words, but He has also imprinted His image on human beings.[vii] There is somewhat of an inseparable element presented by the God of Scripture in that those made in His image are like Him in many ways, and this is powerfully demonstrated in that His image bearers are not entirely themselves without communication; to be human is to communicate. An impact of being made in the image of God on humans is that they must be communicating. Yet, God’s spoken words not only create life, but God’s words spoken in judgment against those who oppose His law, His nature, and His created order bring destruction.
Scripture clarifies that “life and death are in the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21).[viii] It demonstrates that spoken words are necessary for reconciliation with God (Romans 10:9-11). One must “confess with [the] mouth” if a person will be a benefactor of the substitutionary atonement and justification given by Christ (Romans 10:9). Those who have received the gift of salvation then are to proclaim the gospel through spoken means (Matthew 28:19-20).
Further, God makes clear in Scripture that those who speak foolish or destructive words will be held accountable for those words (Ephesians 4:29). Scripture explains that the tongue is like a fire and cannot be tamed (James 3:5-6). Therefore, one must use their words graciously (1 Thessalonians 5:11). God speaks in the form of decrees and personal address, through His prophets and apostles, and most importantly, through His Son and His Spirit, to encourage, correct, rebuke, and to bring about edification (Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).[ix]
The shared attribute of people being communicative beings, like the God of Scripture, holds particular importance to Christian Theology. It is through the spoken word most directly that Christians are called to proclaim the name of Christ (Mark 16:15; Acts 10:42). Without spoken words, others will not hear the gospel (Romans 10:14). So, one might ask, how does being made in the image of God impact one’s understanding of spoken communication?
Being made in the image of God indicates multiple things about the impact of spoken words. While believers are told to be “quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19), this does not mean that Christians should not speak at all. Further, great thought should be put into spoken words, whether in a public speech or a dialogue. Since humans are made in the image of God, understanding the weight of God’s spoken words and the implications of God’s spoken words should cause Christians to reflect on how being an image bearer impacts spoken human communication.[x] There are, in the Christian Worldview, no neutral words.[xi] Thus, what being an image bearer means regarding spoken communication is paramount for Christians. Using Scripture as the guide, this article will briefly survey what being made in the image of God means about the power of words for image bearers.
Words Are Powerful
God’s words are powerful. God spoke, and the world was created. In Matthew, Christ speaks and the seas and wind obey. Upon seeing this, the disciples “marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” (Matthew 8:27). Like their Creator, the words of humans are powerful too.
It is essential to realize that Christ was not merely a man, but the God-Man (Colossians 2:9-10). Yet, as image bearers, while one will not command the wind and seas literally, words can calm the storms in the lives of others. As the author of Proverbs notes, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). Like the Creator, there is an element of words spoken by humans that can shape reality.
Given the powerful nature of spoken words, image bearers must seek to reflect the creator by rightly applying words. This will help shape how others perceive and interact with the world. By harnessing the power of spoken words to encourage others to good and righteous living, one demonstrates the power of words for God’s glory. A parent who praises a child for doing what is right, or a friend who speaks to correct another believer uses powerful tools to reflect the creator properly. Part of recognizing how the image of God impacts a person’s spoken words is to recognize the power of the tongue.
Words Are Eternal
God’s words are eternal. Jesus explains, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). God’s words are not only eternal, but they have eternal significance. While human words will fade from memory and dissolve into the ether, there is likewise an eternal element to human words; this is shared with the creator. Human words, too, echo into eternity.
Scripture spends a great deal of time emphasizing that individuals are held accountable for the words that they speak (Matthew 12:36). “The tongue is of great concern to James, being mentioned in every chapter of his letter.”[xii] Scripture likewise demonstrates the implications of poor words noting that there is destruction and judgment brought upon those who do not use their words rightly (Proverbs 15:4; Matthew 12:37; James 3:6). Further, one must confess Christ before men (Matthew 10:32); this almost always means speaking.
There is also a significant eternal impact or a timeless quality to the words that a person does not say. Failure to speak the gospel impacts the eternal destination of individuals. Just as the creator is intentional with his words, human words are not to be spewed out wherever or whenever, only to reach the ceiling and fall to the floor; instead, they resonate into timeless existence. Because this is true, one must be extremely careful with what they say and what they don’t say.
Words Change Things
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). In the Gospels, Jesus uses His words to drive out demons (Matthew 8:16). As previously noted, He spoke and the storm stopped. As a result of the words of Christ, the Roman soldiers on the night before the crucifixion fall to the ground (John 18:6). Jesus’ words anger those who oppose Him (Luke 4:28). Paul’s words enrage the crowds (Acts 13:45). But likewise, spoken words become the very means through which one’s heart of stone is changed to a heart of flesh (Acts 2:41).
If words did not change things, then preachers would not preach. And if preachers did not preach, people would not know the message of salvation. God has entrusted His creation with the ability to use their spoken words to make eternal changes. This similarity is not to be taken lightly. Therefore, when Christians speak, they cannot forget that words truly change things in this timebound world and in eternity.
Words are Assets
Often, individuals fail to recognize that spoken words are an asset to the Christian faith. By that, the testimony of witnesses becomes how one is freed (Deuteronomy 17:6). Further, words are how the Kingdom expands (Acts 4:31). God’s words were an asset to His people as the Psalmist would note: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103). Likewise, Jesus would state that God’s Word was the truth and thereby possesses the ability to make men free (John 17:17, 8:32). Like the Creator’s words, in the mouth of one who is wise, words have the power to change eternal destinies and to empower kingdom laborers to the service of their king.
Words are not to be taken casually, as they are resources for much good. Just as believers should hunger for God’s Word because it sustains them, God has allowed humans to accomplish much with well-spoken words. “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel” (Proverbs 27:9). As Ronald Adler notes, “personal communication is essential to our well-being.”[xiii] Because “[g]racious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24), believers follow the example of the Lord and use their words to benefit others and see words as a means of expanding the kingdom.
Words Connect Us with God
God was communicating before creation. When Jesus says, “Now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:5), the implications are that within the Triune God, before creation, God was in a relationship as three Persons in the One being. While Scripture does not state specifically that three Persons of God were speaking to each other before creation, there was community, and community is only possible through the exchanging of symbols, and that is communication.
God spoke to Adam shortly after creation (Genesis 2:16). He gave Adam the ability to name animals (Genesis 2:19-20). God gave man the ability to connect with Him through spoken words (Genesis 4:26). Whether it is words sung, written, or spoken, the power of oral communication demonstrates man’s likeness to God and allows humans to connect with Him. Further, it enables humans with the ability to direct others to connect with Him.
Conclusion
In this digital age, some might wonder why it is so important to think about spoken words. Spoken words become the very root through which people have the most meaningful encounters. That is not to say that digital or mediated communication is not a powerful tool. Still, the beauty of an interpersonal dialogue with a dear friend—whether it is consultation after grieving the death of a loved one, or congratulations after receiving a promotion or accomplishing something—spoken words cannot be removed from human existence.
Spoken words cannot be discounted because they point people back to the Creator. He is a God who speaks. As Francis Schaeffer stated, He is a God who is not silent.[xiv] Therefore, if one does not speak in praise of God, or speak as a means to share with others who Jesus is, they fail to live out who God meant them to be as image bearers. The God of the Christian faith uses the power of words; He allows people to connect with Him through spoken word. He sees words as assets. It is words that have eternal significance and that change men’s hearts. Therefore, one must be careful with the words one uses, because they are often the means through which others will comprehend and understand the one whose image humans bear.
[i] Arthur W. Pink, The Gospel of John (New York, NY: Prisbrary Publishing, 2002), Kindle Edition. Kindle Locations 265-296.
[ii] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Ariel’s Bible Commentary: The Book of Genesis (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2008), p. 42.
[iii] Genesis 1:3, 5,6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29
[iv] Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Ariel’s Bible Commentary: The Book of Genesis (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Ministries, 2008), p. 44; Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 40:26, 28; Psalm 89:1.
[v] Merrill C. Tenney, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John, Vol. 9, ed. J. D. Douglas (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1981) p. 28.
[vi] Francis A. Schaeffer, He is There and He is Not Silent: Does it Make Sense to Believe (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 1972).
[vii] Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 2013) Kindle Edition. p. 469.
[viii] All Scripture taken from the English Standard Bible unless otherwise noted, (Crossway, Copyright © 2016).
[ix] Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003), p.p. 47-50.
[x] Tim Muehlhoff, and Todd Lewis, Authentic Communication (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press, 2010), Kindle Edition. p. 30.
[xi] Samuel L. Bierig, No Neutral Words: The Pastor’s Investment and Stewardship of His Most Precious and Powerful Tool (Spring Hill, TN: Rainer Publishing, 2021).
[xii] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set of 33 volumes (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1985), Kindle Edition. Kindle Locations 235213-235214.
[xiii] Ronald Adler, Lawrence Rosenfeld and Russell Proctor, Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication, 10th ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2007), p.p. 3–4. In Muehlhoff & Lewis, Authentic Communication p. 37.
[xiv] Francis A. Schaeffer, He is There and He is Not Silent: Does it Make Sense to Believe (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 1972).
