Human Speech is a Gift from God

Scriptures: (Prov. 14:4) A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. (Prov. 15:2) But  the mouth of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

Quote: What power words hold! Properly presented, they can paint an absolutely creditable picture of a person’s heart. (Gary Smalley 2000)

Have you ever wondered how young children are capable of using words to convey a purposeful functional meaning? Even toddlers are able to ask complex questions. How do they arrive at the point where spoken words become important? Who taught the child to understand and speak words? By now you must have come up with your own scenario/understanding of this God given gift. Speech and use of languages is not shaped and learned as engineering, learning to tell time or do mathematical computations. Some may say that it is the biological make-up of the brain. Christians believers would say, instead that when God created our first parents-He gave them the ability to speak and understand words (Gen. 2: 16); 20, 23); (Gen. 3:9-13).

“The ability to speak comes so naturally that we are apt to forget what a miracle it is,” quotes Steven Pinker, author. We are made in the image of the God who communicates, this wonderful gift speech. God spoke and gave Adam instructions about life in the garden of Eden (Gen.2:15-17, 19). Adam named all created living creatures (Gen. 2:19b, 20a). Adam spoke of his wife Eve at first sight Gen. 2:23). There was ongoing communication between God and man as supported in Bible Scripture (Gen.3).

Words regarding human speech as in Proverbs, indicates the value of this gift that is often misused and abused. Wise words are compared to gold and silver. The tongue of the just is like choice silver (Prov. 10:20); the lips of the righteous feed many (Prov. 10:21). Also, words are like refreshing water. “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life” ((Prov. 10:11). Right words spoken are like nourishing healthy food and the tongue that brings health is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit (Prov. 15:4).

 Christians who acknowledges how awesome the gift of speech is, will not abuse that gift, but declare it often to the glory of God.

Prayer: Heaven Father, hallow be Your name for giving to man the gift of speech that makes it wholesome and healthy to relate to each other on earth. Every day, we are faced with those around us who uses human speech abusively. For what is in the heart, the lips speak. Help us (Christians) to value this beautiful gift of speech from You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(By Novella D Carpenter)