The medicine of the words we use
We have a large number of conversations in a day, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, via email, Facebook, audio/visual platforms, etc. The words we hear and see, speak and type provide a great amount of information and can have a profound effect on us and likewise our words can have a profound effect on others.
Perhaps we think that no one listens to us or we are unheard. Even if this is the case, what are the things we tell ourselves? Maybe our primary audience is ourselves! In fact, in an article in Psychology Today, the author says,
Although we court the good regard of other people, perhaps the truer audience of our pleading is ourselves. Our stories, strategically produced, give us confidence that we are doing the right thing. They restore belief that the life choices we have made are proper ones. They grant continuity to life’s fitful challenges. They help us stay clear-minded about our commitments. And they ready us for the important changes that move us from one identity to the next.
A further article, entitled, “The Power of Words in Healing”, concludes with this statement, “Healing conversations are part of the healing process.” This shows that words are powerful and can have a medicinal effect on our well-being and the well-being of others.
A very wise man once said,
A gentle (medicine or healing) tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 15:4, 16:24
These proverbs are timeless. They show that the words we speak can be medicinal or have a healing effect when the proper word is spoken at the proper time. The effect is not merely to make us feel good at the moment. In fact, sometimes the healing effect comes from words we need to hear, but do not want to hear. Likewise, the words we speak, if done so with caring and compassion, may be difficult to deliver, but are necessary to the well-being of the person we are speaking to.
The Lord Jesus Christ was God’s “Word made flesh (or human)” when he was on the earth (John 1:1, 14-18). Jesus spoke the Words of his Father in heaven (John 3:34). Jesus described the healing effect his words will have on those who hear and obey him,
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
John 5:24
The effect of Jesus’ words could not be greater on any person – the healing of our condition from sin, sickness, disease and death to perfection and immortality, sharing in the eternal life to come (1 Corinthians 15:50-56).
The words we tell others and ourselves are powerful and can have a healing effect! We must not underestimate the influence of the words we choose. Jesus is the ultimate example of providing medicine to our current condition and ultimately our eternal health. In the Old Testament book of Malachi, Jesus, who was spoken of prophetically, is called the “sun of righteousness”. He will bring this healing condition when he returns to the earth in the very near future.
But for you who fear my name (God), the sun of righteousness (Jesus) shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Malachi 4:2
Article by Dale.
