Speak to people words that bring life

The fifth chapter of the book of Acts describes how followers of Jesus were adding many believers because of the signs and wonders being performed and by healing multitudes of people. Because of the apostles’ popularity with the people, the leaders of the temple, filled with envy and jealousy, ordered them imprisoned. Acts tells us: “During the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors, brought them out, and said, ‘Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.’” The words we speak on God’s behalf can shape our lives and the lives of those among whom we move. As much as your thoughts and feelings influence what you say, what you say can influence how you, and others, think and feel.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things and scenes outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the daynurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. Saddened, she called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly and painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a brick wall that was only 10 feet from the window!

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wondrous beauty outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'

The words of the angel that night have remained a standing order for Christians in all ages. One of the most beneficial things we can do for Christ—one of the most strengthening, hope-giving tasks believers have to do—is to speak to people words that bring life. That is, words of the world’s relation to God, words of promise and power. Words of triumph, and simple words of beauty and peace.