WISE WORDS (3)

“In whom are hidden all the treasures of WISDOM and knowledge” – Colossians 2:3

Those who cherish and communicate WISE WORDS know that such words reflect the Incarnate WORD, the Lord Jesus Christ: “In whom are hidden all the treasures of WISDOM and knowledge. Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words” (Col.2:3-4). John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jh.1:1). When the Eternal Word has become “flesh” in us, we cannot be deceived persuasive words of the devil, demons, and their human agents. Rather, we’re “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” (v.7a). We’re not swayed “through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (v.8).

Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word, has called us to be salt of the earth and light to the world (Mt.5:13-16). The words we use reflect Him: “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him” (Pro.30:5). Every one of His words prove true; so, should ours. It’s a crucial part of the Christian Witness for people to see God through our words. Our words should be gracious and seasoned with salt, drawing people’s gaze to our great and glorious Saviour. For our words to be wise, we must fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith (Heb.12:1-2). He is the Perfect Word. The more we focus on Him, the more we’ll become like Him.

Our Lord Jesus Christ always spoke gracious and enlivening words: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jh.6:63). Peter confirmed this a few verses later, “Lord, to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life” (Jh.6:68). The Words of Jesus Christ, the Righteous, are a fountain of life welling up to eternal life.

Jesus Christ always avoided foolish words. He never lied, flattered, gossiped, or slandered. “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.”; who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him Who judges righteously” (1Pet. 2:22-23) Jesus never spoke in sin, but avoided all foolish speech. He is Wisdom personified: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for is WISDOM from God...” (Cor.1:30a). Our Lord lived and spoke as true Wisdom.

Jesus Christ also heeded the most difficult word ever spoken – the word spoken by His Father that sent Him to the cross. He was sent in the world to be disciplined for the sins of His people. Jesus wanted the cup to pass from Him. He prayed in the garden, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Lk.22:42). Jesus cared more about the Word of His Father more than He did about His own life: “He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Phi.2:8-10).

Jesus heeded the hard word of the cross and God raised Him from the dead. And because He heeded the Word spoken by the Father, we now can heed the same word by taking up our cross and following Him. And we too, like Him, will be raised to life on the last day.

We should care about our words because they reflect our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. King Jesus has taught us and continues to teach us to be wise in our words. We should let the wise words of our Saviour be forever on our lips, for that will show that He is the Lord of our heart.