“Words”

The title of this article is a word of only five letters, but what a vastness and magnitude are contained in it. If we have a sizeable dictionary of the English language, we will find page after page of words and their definitions, and new words are still being added. We will find these words used in endless books, magazines, newspapers, and publications of all kinds. Printing presses are busy day in and day out from one end of the country to the other, and this is duplicated in many other countries throughout the world. Although the language may be different, their printed material also consists of words. Words are assembled in order to present the meaning of the author to those who read them, be it for instruction of one sort or another, for mere information — the purposes can also be many.

Mention has not been made of spoken words. Words, words, and more words flow forth from the mouths of men, who were created with the ability to speak. Wherever there is contact with one another, this ability is put to use. From kings, presidents, and mighty ones of the earth to the poor and lowly, from pulpits and podiums, via the airwaves, words are heard.

Many of these words, whether written or spoken, deal with secular matters, and it is not our intent to consider them at present. But there are a good many words written or spoken associated with religious teachings and principles. What must we say of them? What does Cod’s Word say of them? There we find that mention is made of sound words, gracious words, good words, faithful words, but also of vain words, blasphemous words, words without knowledge, words of falsehood. It is quite evident that there are differences. Then the question comes to us: What do we read, what do we hear, what do we speak, what do we believe? Is there not a necessity to weigh words, to try them, to place them in a true light?

God’s Word is given as a touchstone for all other material, both written and spoken. John wrote, “Try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Much has been written and spoken to draw from the paths of righteousness and truth. In the very beginning Eve was misled by words, and how frequently has it not taken place since that time. The prince of darkness goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, but also as an angel of light. The question, “Yea, hath God said...?” is heard time and again even today. The Lord Jesus also foretold of those who should say, “Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, He is there.”

Do we have our own plumbline?

How then shall the young (and old) direct their path? What light shall be their perfect guide? This was the question raised by the psalmist. His answer was: “By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word”—that is, the Word of God. The Lord speaks to us by Jeremiah, “O earth, earth, earth, hear the Word of the Lord.” There we may place our confidence and there we may give ear.

And yet dangers persist.

We by nature are desirous to hear that which is pleasing to us. Are we perhaps like those of old who said to the prophets, God’s messengers, “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things”? Or are we similar to the messenger of Ahab, who said to Micaiah, “Let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them (Ahab’s prophets), and speak that which is good.” Have we prescribed that which we would like to hear, and to read? Do we have our own plumb-line? With Paul, God’s servants must say, “Do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?”

Is the truth pleasing to us? It certainly does not speak well of us, of our doings, of our ways. When Nathan comes to us with the words, “Thou art the man or woman,” do we rise up in anger, or do we bow our heads in shame and confession before the Lord? The Bible also tells of those who asked for God’s Word, and then did not accept it as such because it seemed so contrary to their reasoning and situation. Paul wrote, “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,” and we are included among them unless and until we may receive sight by the operation of the Holy Spirit for Christ’s sake.

It must not be denied that there are those who have come to love that Word, even though it speaks against them. For it speaks also of a precious and perfect Mediator, and this does give comfort in the midst of sorrow, hope in the midst of despair, peace in the midst of strife, joy in the midst of grief. There are those who with Thomas may at times joyfully exclaim, “My Lord and my God,” and with David may encourage themselves in the Lord their God.

“Words.” As we can see, there is a great variation in what comes to us through our hearing and by our reading. Our prayer must be, “Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” The entrance of His Word gives light and understanding unto the simple. It may cause a trembling because of what we are, but there is a further encouragement. The Lord Himself has said, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.”

May we, as the Bereans, search the Scriptures daily, whether the things which are presented to us, are so.

Garret /. Moerdyk serves as elder in the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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