As a pastor, I've seen firsthand the power of words to uplift or tear down, especially in a chaotic world filled with noise and distractions. When our faith is constantly being tested, it's easy to get caught up in the noise and lose sight of what's truly important. But the Bible reminds us that our words have the power to either build up or tear down, as Ephesians 4:29 says, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."
In my experience, faith is not just about intellectual assent, but about putting Jesus Christ first and trusting in His Word, even when it seems irrational. As the Bible says in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." This requires a posture of humility, wholehearted devotion, prayer, meditation, and contemplation, as David C. Steinmetz reminds us. When we prioritize our relationship with God and seek to understand His Word, we can experience the power of faith to transform our lives.
As a father and a pastor, I've seen how the words we speak can either encourage or discourage others. When we speak words of truth and encouragement, we can bring hope and comfort to those around us. But when we speak words of doubt and fear, we can tear others down and create chaos. As Psalm 19:14 says, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." May we strive to speak words that uplift and edify, and may our faith be a source of strength and encouragement to those around us.