Imagine if a single word existed that could wipe out the entire world. The queen in C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew did. She used the word just as her sister’s army was about to win the war against hers.
The story which I recently read with my kids struck a deep cord in my conscience and helped me to see the power of words to give life or death in a way I had not before. It made me think how every word we utter has eternal consequences.
But words are not born on the tip of our tongues but come from the deep wells of our heart. And evil words first come as evil thoughts which eventually are expressed aloud.
It was sobering to recall times I’d acted and spoken in the same spirit as the evil queen in Lewis’s book. I’m familiar with the desire to win at no matter what the cost, especially when it comes to marital arguments. I thought of times when I’ve uttered words that I’m certain the enemy of my soul gleefully wanted me to say, and I’ve seen the pain they’ve caused.
God has given me the ability to make my marriage work. But the things I say in my marriage at times, I wouldn’t dare utter anywhere else. Why is that?
It’s a constant battle against the enemy of our souls isn’t it? I’ve seen so many marriages that seemed much more solid than mine, fall completely apart. And not to blame one party or other but I wonder how much of it was caused by evil words uttered?
Ever since I read the book, I’ve been more mindful to track every thought that enters my mind because I no longer want to utter words that will destroy. I don’t want to be the enemy’s mouthpiece not in my family or anywhere else. I want to speak words of life — words that God wants me to speak.
When we watch the nightly news, it’s easy to see that the spirit of destruction is rampant in the world. Jesus said the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. The devil is the one who works to destroy families because if he can rip families apart, then entire societies will soon follow.
God spoke the world into existence. Words have power to create life.
“In the beginning was the Word, the word was with God, and the Word was God,” writes the apostle John.
Later in John’s Gospel, Peter tells Jesus, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
I believe God has given us the power to speak life into our families – if we will speak the words He gives us. And the only way we will know His words is by listening to Him speak during our quiet times, through His handiwork which lies just outside our home, through His eternal Word, the Bible or as in my case, a children’s novel.
As I’m going through my day homeschooling my oldest, making sure my Malamute pup isn’t chewing up something and picking up the latest clutter pile on the counter — I remember the image of the evil queen walking through the world she’s completely destroyed.
No, not in my home. The witch’s been booted out. I’m walking with Aslan, and I’m choosing to speak blessing and life to all who I encounter including my Malamute pup.
Hi Hulda,
Your post resonated with me. I love words! They are much sharper and more powerful than some people think.
They have the power to build up or tear down. I try to always remind myself and my boys to use them wisely and with caution. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. God does give us such beautiful words when we will be still to hear them. He has also given us his word…full of life giving words! I am so grateful for that.
Thanks for reminding us of the power of the word of God! Blessings to you and your husband…and your sweet Malamute pup!
Thanks for stopping by Callie. Here’s praying that we speak God’s life-giving words today. Glad you like Benny. He keeps life interesting every day. 🙂
That really inspired me, Hulda! Seriously, it resonated. Many people have spoken about the power of words, using one illustration or another, but your example was straight from the heart. That aside, how can you go wrong with C.S. Lewis? So many of the Narnia books have brought me to tears. Such profound messages. Thank you for sharing!