You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold… but with the precious blood of Christ. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

The power of words is one of those mysteries only heaven will reveal. Our words have the power to bless and to curse. Only humans, created in His image, have been entrusted with such power and privilege.

No doubt, each of us carries or has carried the scars of words that wound – words that criticize, names that ridicule. There are “unwholesome words” that tear down rather than build up (Ephesians 4:29). But might God be willing to use the hurtful words spoken to us to make our hearts sensitive to words that edify and our mouths more willing to speak those words?

Imagine the privilege and opportunity to speak words of affirmation and approval, words that reflect on the divine and remind hearers of the unexplainable worth God has placed on us.

Our Creator has “honored” us by the precious gift of His Son. Through that gift, He has declared our worth and value. Knowing that, how can I devalue through my words what God has honored? How can I speak words that demean, neglect, or ridicule my spouse, knowing that to do so is to trample on the blood of Christ? On the contrary, this truth encourages my lips to speak only words that edify my spouse.

Many couples find it startling when we remind them that they don’t have to say every critical or negative thing they think. We tell them that because we know that hurtful words can’t be taken back after they’ve wounded their “target.” We remind husbands and wives to always speak words that reflect the great value God has placed on each of them.

Q. What encouraging, uplifting words can we speak to our spouse today?

PRAYER: Thank You, Father, for promoting me to speak words that honor my spouse. Amen.