The Written Word

… and why it matters

Introduction

Since you’re reading this article, presumably you agree with me that written words matter. In fact, they matter a great deal. As the digital revolution continues to change the way men and women communicate around the world, there have been some who bemoan the lack of interest in written words: many traditional libraries have either disappeared or morphed into internet cafes; older people complain that young people are too “glued to their phones” to do any serious reading; a sharp drop in the use of Christmas cards, postcards and private letters all suggest that the written word doesn’t hold the same importance as once it did.

Yet life in the Twenty-first Century is arguably just as dominated by the written word as it has ever been. According to one statistics website, more than 15 million text messages are sent between mobile phones every minute of every day. 60 billion messages per day are sent via Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger. We spend far more time using our phones to read and write than we do actually speaking to someone via phone or video calls. Reading and writing remain a major part of the human experience, even in a more digitised world.

In this article I want to explore the importance of the written word in general. We will then consider the importance and power of God’s written Word, before considering how we should apply these things to our own lives.

The Power of the Written Word

At the time of writing, there is an argument filling the Northern Ireland headlines – an argument about written words. In early February, it seemed that a local government was going to be re-established in Northern Ireland after thirteen months without one. Then, suddenly, it wasn’t going to happen. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Fein are arguing about why it didn’t happen. Sinn Fein say they had an “accommodation”; the DUP say they didn’t.

Then a few weeks later, a respected local journalist published email exchanges and official documents online, clearly showing that progress had been made and an agreement (or at least a “draft” agreement) was indeed on the table between the DUP and Sinn Fein. There it was, in black and white, in written words.

Written words carry weight and importance. Even a superficial sweep of history underlines that point. The American Civil War, fought primarily over the issue of slavery, was eloquently and passionately summarised in just 272 words by President Abraham Lincoln in his carefully crafted Gettysburg Address. Winston Churchill spent his early years as a Member of Parliament writing and rewriting his Commons speeches, practising his delivery in front of a mirror. He went on to inspire his country to victory in the Second World War, partly through well-crafted, well-worded speeches. Wars have begun or been ended, people have been inspired, enemies have been reconciled or polarised, through the power of written words.

Today, less impressive and influential people feel the need to put their thoughts and opinions into writing on a daily basis. Their words travel around the world in a matter of seconds and are debated, derided or applauded in equal measure. Though it has been in decline for several years, Twitter (now known as X) remains one of the main sources of news for many people each day, as they read hundreds of tweets from friends, celebrities and news outlets. As mentioned above, though we are now using digital screens instead of paper and ink, we still read and write a colossal amount of words.

However, the mere fact that we read and write doesn’t necessarily mean that what we’re reading and writing is actually worthwhile. Recent research has demonstrated that digital media is “rewiring” our brains and how we handle what we read. Tweets, texts, Snapchats and other social media are the equivalent of fast food for our brains rather than a balanced diet. Most of us won’t remember within a few hours what we read or looked at on social media, and it won’t have any lasting impact on our lives – funny memes, witty comeback-tweets, “catchy slogans”, how many of them can we remember from last week? Worse still, many people are consuming and living by “fast-food” words that aren’t even true.

“The difference between the

‘almost’ right word and the right

word is really a large matter.

‘Tis the difference between the

lightning bug and the lightning.”

Mark Twain

The Power of God’s Word

The God who created the heavens and the earth, who has made us in his image, is a God who has spoken, and who has given us words to read and think carefully about.

It is hard to overstate how much the Bible emphasises to us the importance and power of God’s words. Genesis 1 tells us that God spoke the world into existence. The majority of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy is a record of God’s laws, commands and promises spoken to his people through his servant, Moses. God gave Ten Commandments, not ten paintings or ten visions or ten sunsets, when He wanted to let us know how we are supposed to live. Hundreds of times in the Old Testament prophets we read the words, “Thus says the LORD.”

But God was not content to have his words spoken or written down by human men: the uniqueness of the Christian faith is our conviction that God became a man, Jesus of Nazareth. In coming into this world, Jesus did not pose, paint or perform; he spoke. Mark 1:14 describes how Jesus began his ministry: he did so proclaiming (preaching) the kingdom of God and repentance of sin. John begins his Gospel by describing Jesus as the Word made flesh (John 1:14).

The rest of the New Testament is the teaching of Jesus and about Jesus expanded further (Hebrews 1:1ff.). It is a collection of further words of instruction for and description of the Christian life, a life centred upon the Word of God. Think about this: God could have used any means he pleased to communicate with us, teach us about himself or cause us to become Christians – but God has chosen to reveal himself to us and save us through his Word, personified in Jesus Christ our Saviour, and explained further to us by his apostles. The Word of God has made the world and, when we become Christians, the Word of God changes our lives.

This is why it doesn’t sit well with me when I hear Christians say things like, “I’m not a reader.” Perhaps they genuinely don’t enjoy reading; perhaps they simply mean that they don’t read huge books very often. But it is impossible to be a healthy Christian and not be a reader, to have no interest in written words. Reading God’s Word, chewing it over during the day, using it to witness to unbelievers – these are vital, non-negotiable elements of the Christian life. A Christian who doesn’t read is like a newborn baby that doesn’t feed – unless something changes, they will quickly die.

Wisdom For Our Words

Considering the power of written words in general and the power of God’s Word in particular, here are some considerations for our production and consumption of written words:

a) Prioritise the Words that you Read

There is only so much time in your day and so much your mind can consider in a day. If you’re a student, or if your job requires you to read a lot of reports or articles, you have even less energy to devote to written words. So is God’s Word prioritised over texted words or “Snapchatted” words or “Instagrammed” words? Are you giving your brain a diet of fast food or of nutritious food?

When Satan began tempting him in the wilderness, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3, declaring, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Does that summarise your life and mine? Before the words of social media personalities, friends or followers, do we have a concern for the living, active and powerful Word of God?

b) Consider Carefully the Words that you Write (or Speak)

Psalm 19 concludes this way in verse 14: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD my Rock and my Redeemer.”

It’s worth noting that that prayer comes at the end of a psalm describing the beauty and power of God’s Word. The psalmist wants God’s Word to impact his words.

We need to consider carefully the words that we write or speak. Proverbs 18:21 says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. You and I have the power to encourage and the power to embarrass; the power to commend and the power to criticise; the power to communicate love and the power to communicate contempt. Much of what the Book of Proverbs has to say about our words is a warning to restrain them, to speak (or write) only necessary and thoughtful words.

We live in a culture encouraging us to contribute to radio phone-ins and Twitter debates and WhatsApp groups instantly, quickly and instinctively. Instead, God’s Word urges caution and care. Your words are powerful – use them wisely.

Conclusion

Written words in general have great power. Even in a generation as individualistic and post-modern as ours, this is still the case. The written words of rulebooks, political agreements and Supreme Court rulings are treated as final authority. Our own words are powerful, affecting the lives of others and ourselves – and so we should speak what is true, necessary and carefully considered.

But first priority in our lives should be the words that carry most power and authority – the written words of God himself. In a world consumed with many words that are unnecessary, unimportant and lacking in substance, we should be men, women and young people whose chief delight and daily meditation is the written Word of the living God.