1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

When Paul considered what God had done for him, he couldn’t help breaking out into a doxology. Actually, I don’t think we understand what a doxology is, because we associate it with particular pieces of music that are sung at specific times in worship services. However, the word is essentially the same as benediction, only based on Greek roots instead of Latin. In either case, it is words of blessing. Our words can be used to bless people, and they can be used to bless God! James points out the importance of our words, and the irony of misusing them, in James 3:1-12. When we take our own words lightly we become careless with them, and Jesus said we will have to answer for that. (Matthew 12:36-37) That certainly doesn’t mean we are to go around being intense all the time, hardly speaking because we’re afraid to miss-speak. Reading the Gospels with an open mind, we see that even Jesus told jokes, and He certainly used puns. Words used in that way make life more enjoyable for others, and that is certainly in God’s will. The point, however, is that words are powerful indeed, and we need to make right use of them. Of course, some people are more verbal than others, but that doesn’t change the truth that we are to use our words in obedience to God, whether they are many or few. We certainly don’t need to have any hesitation in using our words to praise God!

I certainly come in on the verbal end of the scale. As my wife will attest, it’s often difficult to get me to shut up! I have indeed spoken careless words for which I will have to answer, but I have also had the joy of seeing my words being used by God to bless people and lift them up. I cannot take pride in that, because I know that the grace of God is the only explanation for that happening, but I can and should be grateful. However, I have also used words to wound people, sometimes deeply, and that is cause for strong repentance. In my position as a pastor, a teacher, and now an elder, I need to be aware that my words have weight with many who hear them. Just yesterday my wife had to caution me that, because of my being somewhat anxious about a particular situation, my words had an intensity that made them seem like I was attacking the person to whom I was speaking. That’s not good! It shows that I need to be in greater awareness of God’s grace toward me, as Paul was, and allow that grace to flow through me to each person with whom I interact, regardless of the connection. Just as I see in others, I tend to go into “attack mode” when I feel insecure. That shows I need to rest more in the eternal security I have in Christ Jesus my Lord!

Father, thank You for the gift of words. Help me use that gift responsibly, accomplishing the purposes for which You gave it to me. May I be faithful to bless people and lift them up, not wound them, and may I give You all the praise, honor and glory that You deserve. Thank You. Hallelujah!