by Alycia W. Morales @AlyciaMorales

Let me start by saying this is not a post about word counts. It’s a post about how much our words count in life.

As writers and/or speakers, we’ve been entrusted with words. If we’re Christian by faith, the weight of that trust weighs a bit heavier than if we had no idea of God’s love for His people.

Do our words reflect His truth and carry a message of hope and love?

Whether we’re writing for the ABA (American Book Association) or the CBA (Christian Book Association), our words should always reflect a message of hope and, at the least, imply God’s truth. Write from a Christian world view. Does that mean we avoid the deep, dark, dirty secrets? No. We are all sinners. And readers enjoy life-like stories.

Our message has an opportunity to reveal the truth of God’s love for others who may not know Him if it’s shared in such a way someone else can receive it. Tell a “real” story with love and compassion. Always leave your readers and listeners with hope.

Preaching vs. Sharing

If you’ve ever written a book and had someone critique you as being “preachy” with your words, consider sharing your testimony instead of trying to preach a message to an audience. Preaching can easily come across as finger pointing. Characters in novels can start conversing as if standing on a soap box. This is a quick turnoff.

Share your experiences from the perspective of being equally sinful and recognizing how great Father’s love is that He saved you from whatever sin you were bound by or addicted to. Otherwise, you’ll lose your audience. No one likes a preachy preacher.

We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.

Our testimonies carry weight. A lot of weight. They are an incredible evangelism tool. We can share them via the written or spoken word. Don’t be afraid to share your testimony. If it’s too fragile to write as a memoir or other nonfiction piece, consider fictionalizing it. There’s no wrong way to share the truth of God’s redeeming love for you.

As I mentioned before, fiction doesn’t have to explicitly state that Jesus came and died for me. It just has to point at that truth. A character redeemed by love. It’s that simple and that complicated all at the same time. But when we decide to share that truth, others find hope that their life can change too.

The power of life and death is in the tongue.

This is also known as blessing or cursing. And it has to do with how we address those around us. In our writing, our speeches, our day-to-day conversations. In business, family life, church, or social activities. How are our words affecting those around us?

Are they full of compassion, understanding, knowledge, truth, love? Do they uplift, encourage, correct with gentle love? Or are they rude, not thoughtful, full of spite, or harsh?

Do they tear down, discourage, or scold? Our tongues (and pens) have the power to build up our fellow man or tear him down.

It’s wise to THINK before you speak. Is what you’re about to say True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind? If not, it may be a good time to stay silent.

(See Proverbs 18:21, James 3:10, Proverbs 17:28)

Delivery

If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a parent and a wife, it’s that how I deliver my words is just as important as what I say. Delivery includes everything from sentence structure to tone to body language.

I can give directions and sound like I’m angry at having to give them. Or I can give directions with encouragement. I can apologize with my mouth while my face reflects an unforgiving heart.

As a writer, I’ve seen how delivery can be misconstrued on a page, as well. And not only in books, but in email as well. Or social media posts. Be careful how you say things. Your words (or actions or expressions) can be taken many ways.

Out of the Abundance of the Heart…

These are just a few ways our words carry weight. As with everything we do as believers, we must be sure to consider how what we’re about to say is going to affect those who are on the receiving end of our words.

Truth isn’t always easy to swallow. Sometimes difficult things must be said. But how we say them makes all the difference. Correction and education can be expressed with love and compassion. And some truths are better left unsaid.

Remember, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” Luke 6:45, NKJV. What are people hearing from your heart?

What’s another way your words carry weight? How else do they count in life? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Alycia W. Morales is an award-winning freelance editor and author. Her clients have won the Selah Award, BRMCWC Director’s Choice Award, and many others. Her writing has been published in Thriving Family magazine, Splickety Love, and several compilation books. She is a member of ACFW, the president of Cross n’ Pens critique group, and a BRMCWC Conference Assistant.

When she isn’t busy writing, editing, and reading, Alycia enjoys spending time with her husband and four children taking hikes in Upstate SC and NC, creating various crafts, coloring in adult coloring books, and watching TV.

Alycia blogs at The Write Editing and Life. Inspired. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.