Many sayings about words contradict each other. “Words are ten a penny.” “Words matter.” “Actions speak louder than words.” From the bible we hear: “when words are many, transgression is not lacking” (Proverbs 17:17-18); “our words have the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21).

Perhaps what matters most is the speaker’s  intention of the heart. Jesus says, “from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). This is surely true when our words are about the deeper and more important things in life. In love, friendship and in matters which touch or express our souls, our relationships and our moral life, our words carry more weight. They can do much good or much harm. They can elevate or crush.

The words we ourselves use and those we allow into our ears, minds and hearts have great power to form or deform our spirits, our psyche. They combine to create an inner narrative which gives meaning to ourselves and how we see others and the world. They contribute significantly to our identity, who we think we are.

This requires great vigilance, for we must “above all guard our hearts” (Proverbs 4:23). We do well, then, to develop the ability to discern carefully what we are hearing and what we are saying in the deeper matters of life, what we let in and what we let out. This is not to say that there aren’t those whose words we trust implicitly, such as those of our loved ones and of those we respect for whatever reason.

But the word we can trust beyond any other is the Word of God. It is “silver from the furnace, seven times refined” (Psalm 12:6). This word wonderfully created us and speaks the narrative of unconditional and unfailing love. It endures for ever.