The “Words of Mother’s Love,” which bring peace, are spreading from the church to our homes, neighbors, and the whole world. The “Words of Mother’s Love” refer to words that express consideration, courage, support, and encouragement. Anyone can offer praise when a person has done something perfectly. However, it is not so easy to give courage and strength to someone who has fallen short of expectations. When we, God’s children, are weary and exhausted, these Words of Mother’s Love lift us up, strengthen our faith, and encourage us to hope for heaven.
Both the Old and New Testaments contain teachings about the power of words, which God gave through the prophets and Jesus Himself taught. In this sense, the “Words of Mother’s Love” campaign that the Church of God is now carrying out is an important initiative that brings about individual and social changes, transforming the whole world into God’s world.
Words have the power to both create and destroy
Words are powerful tools. Through His word, God created light and life, and brought order to the universe.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. Ge 1:1–5
Genesis 1 shows that God completed His six days of creation by His word. How powerful is God’s word?
Words have the power to create, but also to destroy. A single careless word can destroy relationships and even lead to irreversible consequences. Even a couple who have firmly promised to always love each other until their hair turns gray can destroy their family if they hurt each other with words. Words can destroy not only a family, but also a society and a nation.
Let us think about what the Israelites said in the wilderness. When the twelve spies returned from exploring the land of Canaan, ten of them spoke negatively, distrusting God’s promise to give them the land. The Israelites were so discouraged by their negative report that they said, “We will never be able to enter the land of Canaan, and we will all die in the wilderness.” Just as they said, God declared that none of them would ever enter the land of Canaan. But what about Joshua and Caleb who encouraged the people by saying, “We will devour them. Do not be afraid. Since God has promised us the land, we will certainly prevail over it”? Only these two men were allowed to enter the land of Canaan, out of the six hundred thousand men twenty years old or more. All these were the consequences of their words (Numbers 13–14).
The tongue has the power of life and death
Let us see what the book of Proverbs teaches us about the power of words.
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Pr 18:21
The tongue refers to the words we speak. God has taught us that our words have the power to bring life or death. This means that we must choose our words carefully, thinking before we speak.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Pr 15:1–4
There is a soothing tongue that speaks gentle words, and there is also a perverse tongue that speaks harsh words. What if the Israelites had a soothing tongue during their 40-year journey in the wilderness? They would have said, “O God, how much have You labored to bring this great multitude out of Egypt, the land of slavery, and to lead us to Canaan? Thank You for providing us with daily manna and for allowing water to flow from the rock to quench our thirst!” However, they had a perverse tongue that kept bringing forth complaints. They said, “There is nothing to eat except this manna in the wilderness,” and, “Did you bring us out into the wilderness to make us die of thirst?” None of the people who said these things were allowed to enter the land of Canaan. God repeatedly warns us not to follow their example—not to have such a grumbling tongue like theirs (1 Co 10:1–11).
Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. Pr 25:18
False testimony refers to slander. Anyone who slanders others behind their backs and twists the truth is like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow. We must avoid critical and mocking remarks as well as false and defamatory speech, which can destroy a person. On the other hand, a single word can lift up the discouraged and even awaken sleeping souls. Sincere words of comfort and encouragement have the power to uplift a person.
Words can bring salvation or destruction
The Bible records that a single word can determine one’s destiny in heaven or hell. Let us think about the two robbers who were crucified with Jesus, one on His left and the other on His right. One robber sided with the crowd to win their favor and mocked Jesus, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us.” The other robber rebuked him, saying, “We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Thus, he defended Jesus, standing on His side. Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Lk 23:32–43). By saying this, Jesus gave him the gift of salvation.
The robber who was saved did not know the new covenant, nor did he keep the Passover. In other words, he had not done anything required for salvation. Yet God specially granted him salvation. Moved by his words, God qualified him to enter heaven.
We can fully understand that our words can bring destruction or salvation through the words spoken by the robbers who were crucified alongside Jesus, as well as through the words spoken by those who entered Canaan and by those who perished during their 40-year journey in the wilderness.
I believe that we should make Zion, the refuge of salvation, a gracious place full of Mother’s love all the time. Let us always practice and use words that inspire a spiritual awakening, words that are gracious, words that are helpful for building one another up, words that glorify God, and words that bring joy and happiness to one another.
We should use those words while talking in the church and at home as well. If we have been shy about using such words, let us start to practice them from now on. Awaken the senses you have not used before. “Cheer up! God will bless you abundantly, and everything will go well. Our kids are cheering you on, and I am always praying for you.” Say these words of support and encouragement to your spouse. Support each other not only with words, but with lots of prayer as well. We should always devote ourselves to prayer—for our families, for our neighbors and acquaintances, for ourselves, and for the future of the church—while continually practicing the “Words of Mother’s Love.”
The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
What is in our hearts comes out of our mouths. The words we speak are a direct reflection of our hidden, inner character. Jesus also teaches that our words reveal what is in our hearts.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Lk 6:43–45
Those who do not have God in their hearts speak words of gossip, slander, criticism, and malice. As Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them” (Jn 6:56), we should speak good words if Christ lives in us.
If we want to change our speech, we need to change our hearts first. When we transform our hearts, our speech naturally begins to change. Kind words come from kind hearts, and gentle words from gentle hearts.
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. Mt 15:21–28
When a Gentile woman asked for a favor, Jesus initially refused her request by saying, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” However, since she had approached Jesus with faith in Him and a gentle heart, she did not respond in anger, saying, “How could You say such a thing?” Instead, she replied gently, “Yes it is, Lord,” and continued to seek His mercy. After testing the woman to see her faith, Jesus said to her, “You have great faith!” and healed her daughter. The Bible records this story to show us that God wants us to have such great faith and follow His way.
Be quick to listen and slow to speak
In the story of The Ugly Duckling, the main character who is actually a swan doesn’t look or sound like the other ducks. We should choose our words carefully, instead of thinking that it is okay to use worldly, secular language as we live in this world. Since God calls us His children, we should speak in a way befitting of God’s children.
God has given us the command to devote ourselves to preaching the gospel to save the world, so we can speak good words. As we preach, we naturally use many words that God has taught us, and by using God’s word frequently, we become more familiar with it and draw closer to God. Please keep in mind that this is one of the reasons we must preach diligently.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. . . . Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Jas 1:19–25
Being “slow to speak” means thinking carefully before speaking. While we should listen attentively to others, we must avoid speaking carelessly or impulsively. Even if we understand the importance of our words and resolve to speak good words, we can easily forget it when we face real-life situations. What matters is putting it into practice.
. . . We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Jas 3:1–6
The tongue is a world of unrighteousness. Even though it is a small part of the body, it can set the whole course of our life on fire. As we live in this world, we often see people ruin their lives with their words.
Let us practice the “Words of Mother’s Love,” starting in our homes. By doing so, let us comfort one another and resolve all conflicts and problems. Changing our words will transform us, our families, and the whole world. Then the eternal kingdom of heaven will surely come. As the people of Zion, let us diligently preach the gospel by speaking the words that bring peace and joy to the world.
Words that bring blessing and peace
The “Words of Mother’s Love” that bring peace consist of the following nine phrases.
- The first phrase to open peace: “How are you?”
- Express gratitude even for small efforts and acts of kindness: “Thank you. It’s all thanks to you. You’ve worked hard.”
- A phrase that melts the heart: “I’m sorry. It must have been hard on you.”
- A phrase of forgiveness that embraces faults; try to understand others first: “It’s okay. I understand.”
- When feeling impatient, take a breath and yield to others: “Please, after you.”
- When opinions differ, listen carefully to others: “I’d love to hear more about your thoughts.”
- Offer sincere support and encouragement: “I’ll pray (or root) for you. Everything will go well.”
- Consideration begins with paying attention to those around you: “Can I give you a hand with anything?”
- Heartfelt compliments bring happiness to both the giver and receiver: “You’re amazing. You’re doing great!”
While it is important to preach the Sabbath and the Passover, it is equally vital to fully follow and proclaim the teachings of Heavenly Father and Mother by practicing the “Words of Mother’s Love” in daily life. Please keep in mind that our words can bring peace when used wisely, but they can destroy everything when used carelessly. I earnestly ask you all to support, encourage, and strengthen one another with the “Words of Mother’s Love,” as beautiful children of God.
