Our Words Can Have an Intrinsic Value, But Not Always
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How Can Words Be Valuable?
We live in a day and age when written or spoken words often have little value. This sparks a question—What value do our words have? Perhaps we each need to ask this of ourselves. I know I can be flippant and sarcastic with my words, so I fit in well with American culture.
An advertising slogan for a certain city goes something like—what happens here, stays here. But this is an illusion. Whoever believes this is in a state of self-delusion.
If only this were true about what’s spoken and written on the internet! But what people post online lingers in the world-wide-web long after its initial arrival and invasion into the public forum, and it can’t be extracted or erased.
So, what makes something valuable? Is it scarcity? This is the prevailing and popular belief. But scarcity creates a temporary value, not a lasting value.
Something with lasting value has worth because of intrinsic qualities—ones that endure cultural fluctuations, people’s opinions, and time. These qualities aren’t scarce but worthwhile. This brings me back to the question—How can words become valuable?
Words are valuable when they have an enduring sense of worth. What’s spoken or written isn’t dependent on their situational context or timing. They have an intrinsic and enduring worth. Valuable words are true regardless of their situation or time. Truth—pure truth—endures. Its value lives on because it’s untainted.
Scripture
Take the impurities out of silver,
and a vessel is ready for the silversmith to mold.
Like golden apples in silver settings,
so is a word spoken at the right time.
Like a gold ring and a fine gold ornament,
so is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens. (Proverbs 25:4, 11-12 GW)
(Context—Proverbs 25:1-14 GW)
Simple Insights
The example of the refining process to purify silver illustrates how words become valuable. A precious metal gains value when impurities are removed from it. This requires intense heat and sifting out the dross that collects on the metal’s molten surface.
The dross—what is common, corruptive, and invaluable—are the impurities in the silver. When a precious metal such as gold or silver is purified, it becomes mirror-like in its molten state and reflects the image of whoever looks into it, such as the one who refines it.
We see this connection between the purifying of silver and words that are valuable in verse 11. Words spoken wisely—at the right time and in the right way—are “Like golden apples in silver settings.”
Silver's purity sets off the golden apples' purity and beauty. The purified silver frames the gold in a refined and reflective way. If we want to speak or write valuable words, they need to be true and free of impurities.
Jesus said — “… For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Matt 12:34 ESV)
Silver's purity sets off the golden apples' purity and beauty. The purified silver frames the gold in a refined and reflective way. We can apply this to the words we speak and write. Our words become more valuable when they hold a truthful purity. But how is this possible?
First, the truth of God needs to be valuable to us—as if it were a precious metal or jewel. Then God’s word of truth needs to find an abiding place in our hearts. We need to treasure it.
Likewise, the truth needs to be prominent in our minds and on our tongues. This requires reading and speaking the truth of God so it impacts and refines our thinking. When we love the truth, it will become evident to others. Even truthful and constructive criticism—though hard to hear—is valuable for those who receive it.
But keep in mind—only God is able to purify our hearts. He is the master Refiner of hearts (Mal 3:2-3) And God’s Spirit brings the truth of God to life and reveals it to us (John 16:13).
When the Lord does His work in us and we reflect Him to others through our life—our words become valuable. When we speak words at the right time and in the right way, they become valuable to others.
Reflection—
The truth of God needs to be valuable to us and abide in our hearts, and be prominent in our minds and on our tongues. We need to treasure it. Then our words will be valuable to others.
Prayer Focus—
If you know your words aren’t always beautiful and valuable to you and others, or don’t reflect and honor God, ask the Lord to give you an understanding of the value of His truth. Then ask God to help you love the truth in a new and fresh way.
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