John 1:1-2 (NKJV) states:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The NLT version says:
“In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.”

Every day, we use countless words. When we’re unsure of the meaning of a word, we turn to the dictionary to gain understanding. So, what are words to us as human beings? They are the primary tools we use to express thoughts, ideas, emotions, and intentions.

But what are words according to biblical standards? If we fail to understand their origin, we may continue to use them carelessly without wisdom or consideration. Words are never “just words.” Why? Because they hold the power to bring life or death (Proverbs 18:21). They can uplift or tear down, bring joy or devastation, alter circumstances, or keep us stuck. They can either open doors of opportunity or lead us into trouble.

Words carry immense power, and when used without care, they can hurt not only ourselves but those around us. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that our actions begin with our thoughts: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Before we act, we must first think. And before we speak, we must decide how and why we speak.

When a person speaks, they usually think beforehand otherwise, it leads to confusion. So if words follow thought, then we must recognize the purpose behind those words. Are they meant to uplift, encourage, spread truth or to gossip, deceive, and tear down?

Therefore, we begin to understand that words are not just words; they are expressions of belief, intention, and influence. If you believe what you’re saying to be true, it carries even more weight. Satan seeks to deceive us into speaking curses over ourselves and others, making us believe our words have no consequence. But that’s a lie they do.

Consider these scriptures on the power of speech:

• Proverbs 12:14 — “From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things…”
• Proverbs 12:18 — “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
• Proverbs 15:4 — “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
• Proverbs 15:28 — “The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”
• Proverbs 21:23 — “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”
• Matthew 12:36-37 — “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Now, let’s return to John 1:1:
“In the beginning was the Word.”

So what is “the Word”? The Word is God. It was with God and was God. It refers to the Son of God, who at that time had not yet been named, but was later revealed as Jesus, the Messiah. The passage repeats the concept three times not by coincidence, but to signify the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

At first, this might be confusing. But with meditation and spiritual understanding, clarity comes. God is the supreme and sovereign one. Jesus, the Son, came to earth to sacrifice himself for us, breaking the curse of sin. He is the Word made flesh. (John 1:14)

Before Jesus, there was God. God had the Word in Him, with Him, as Him. Then, God chose to manifest Himself in three distinct, yet unified, forms Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit, another part of Himself, to help and guide us in this fallen world.

God, in all His power and majesty, chose not to appear in His full form but through extensions of Himself, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, each equal in power and essence, yet operating in different roles. A human analogy, though limited, helps illustrate this. Think of a company owner who hires staff to represent the company. If one misrepresents the company, it reflects on the owner. Similarly, Jesus and the Holy Spirit represent God fully and faithfully because they are God (John 14:6 11).

Yet when Jesus, the Word in the flesh, walked among us, many did not recognize Him (John 1:10-12). Why? Because of carnal thinking, expecting God to appear in majestic, kingly form, not as a humble carpenter. People couldn’t comprehend the Messiah coming from such humble beginnings. They rejected His message, discredited Him, and even tried to kill Him failing to understand that God had come to them as a man to defeat sin through love and sacrifice.

God loved us so deeply that He did all this, yet we still misuse our words even with the knowledge of where words originate and who they represent. This is why His children are called to mirror Him, especially in our speech. We were created through the Word. (John 1:3)

Creation itself came into existence by the Word by God speaking it into being. Just as Ezekiel 37:4–7 shows dry bones coming to life through the spoken word, our words have creative power. Without the Word, nothing would exist (John 1:3). That’s how powerful words are.

As His children, God expects us to treat Him as a loving Father. Just as earthly parents expect their children to respect, honor, trust, and obey them, God expects the same from us. Children are a reflection of their parents. If a child misbehaves, it can reflect poorly on the parent. Similarly, if we live in sin, we reflect the ruler of this world not our heavenly Father.

We are meant to mirror God in every way. Jesus, who was without sin, perfectly represented God in both action and word because He is God. So, if we claim to be children of God and our bodies are His temple, then we must not use words to defile ourselves or others. We must stop speaking negatively about our lives, our circumstances, and especially about others.

Prayer :

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the Word from the beginning, for speaking life into creation, and for sending Jesus, the Word made flesh, to dwell among us. Help me to recognize the weight and power my words carry. May my speech reflect Your truth, Your love, and Your holiness. Teach me to guard my mouth, to think before I speak, and to use my words to uplift, encourage, and bring life not death. Cleanse my heart so that my words flow from a place that honors You. Let me mirror You in everything I say, so that others may see and know You through me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Stay tuned as we continue exploring John 1:1–5 and how it connects to the powerful truth in Hebrews 4:12, which says:”For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)