Created in the Image of God: The Power of Our Words

Last updated on June 14, 2020

As you may remember, we left off at the last post, “A Special Creation” with this statement from God:

“It is not good for the man to be alone, so I will create a companion for him, a perfectly suited partner.”  (Genesis 2:18 VOICE)

The Eternal One, Creator of all heaven and earth, the One who is omniscient (all-knowing), full of all wisdom and understanding – this One’s next step catches us totally off-guard. Look at what comes next:

Genesis 2:19-20  (ESV)

So this was my question: Why?

 Why did God take time for the naming of the animals by ‘adam when He knew that what He was about to do was to complete the special creation of ‘adam (human being) with the creation of woman?

I asked Holy Spirit about this. There may be some other aspects to His purpose and timing, but there was one answer to my question that kept coming to the forefront. This seemed to be the reason that God highlighted to me at this time. I’d like to share that with you by inviting you to join me once again into the Garden:

As Creator God walked side by side with ‘adam in the Garden, showing him the beauty and wonder that surrounded them, He saw in ‘adam‘s heart the desire to turn and share what he was experiencing with another. ‘Adam may not have been able to put his finger on what he was feeling, but his Maker knew, for He had created humankind as a social being, one who needed to share his life with others. 

We can see this part of our created makeup in children as they make a new discovery and run to a parent or friend, saying “look what I found!” or “look what I can do!” We see in ourselves the joy of experiencing life together with others, working and laughing together. It was only because of “the fall” (Genesis 3) that this desire and joy was hindered, causing us to self-protect and draw back, or to fight. We will look at the results of “the fall” in a later post, but for now, may we explore what God’s original intention was for us. 

So that is why I believe the Creator brought out into the open what ‘adam was feeling:  “It is not good for the man to be alone.” ‘Adam must have turned to look at the One at his side with surprise, and then with a smile of recognition. So that’s what he’d been feeling! The new discovery gave him great joy!

The gentle Teacher called ‘adam to His side, then wisely began his first lesson:

        “Created in the Image of God: The Power of Our Words”

The Son of God, the Word, motioned to ‘adam to wait. Perhaps He said, “Stay right here. I have something I want you to do as your first assignment as My appointed ruler. I desire for you, and all humankind to come to understand, and use wisely, the authority I have given to you. In My image, you are to rule as I do.”

The Almighty One, Creator of all things, went and gathered up “all livestock and … birds of the heavens and… every beast of the field” that He had formed, and brought them to ‘adam. The first human looked up and watched in amazement as the LORD God approached with joy and laughter, surrounded by His creatures, flying and swooping, running and jumping, playing and praising in each of their own unique ways.

When the company of creatures drew near, the Creator lovingly presented the first one to ‘adam. It had been His joy to create them, but now He was sharing His joy with ‘adam, that he may give to each one its name. It was now time to turn over His beloved ones into the rule and care of humankind. As a representative of all humanity, ‘adam was given the privilege to name them, giving them identity according to their function, personality and God-given purpose.

Picture this: can you imagine the grin on the Creator’s face as He presented to ‘adam the platypus, the porcupine, the kangaroo and giraffe? And what about the elephant, the monkey, the ostrich and hummingbird ….and so many more?

We are not given details of this event, but I believe that the “naming of the creatures” was God’s example to ‘adam how He created people to work together with Him. As The Creator presented each creature to ‘adam, He would share with him what was in His heart for that species, His perfect purpose for them in the earth. As ‘adam listened to the revelation of God, and became aware of who they were, he joined in with their creation by calling out to them who they were, which then became their name. 

May we stop and look more closely at the last part of Genesis 2:19 —

“And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.”

“Called” is a translation of the Hebrew word,“qara”, which means:

• To cry out, to call (any type of cry; to call upon, to call to any one; as a herald or prophet)
• To call to invite or summon, to call anyone to office
• To name or give a name
• To recite or read aloud

“Name” is a translation of the Hebrew word, “shem”, which means:

To mark with a sign, to designate, sign, stigma, mark with which anyone is marked (a celebrated name, fame; a good name, good reputation; fame after death, memory) *

It was like ‘adam was prophesying over each species, receiving from God understanding of who He created them to be, then crying out as a herald — declaring, decreeing, and establishing who they were to be, according to the nature God had given them. And that became their name. Every time their name was used, their true identity would be remembered and confirmed.

The human race was soon to become man and woman, and from them all relationships would be birthed — husband and wife, parent and child, communities and nations, for generations to come.

 It was so very important for them to realize the power of the words they used.

For every one of us, created in the image of the Eternal One Who created — bringing into reality all things through His words — our words, too, would have great power and authority to affect the visible and invisible realm in which we live.

Our written and spoken words create realities that can bless or destroy — truth that gives life, or lies that bring death. Consider just a few of the scripture verses addressing this subject: 

Genesis 1 — “…. Then God said, ‘Let there be …'”

Hebrews 11:3 (TPT)

“Faith empowers us to see that the universe was created and beautifully coordinated by the power of God’s words! He spoke and the invisible realm gave birth to all that is seen.”

Proverbs 18:20-21 (TPT)

Job 22:28 (NASB)

Ephesians 4:29 (TPT)

1 Corinthians 14:3 (TPT)

 ^“But when someone prophesies, he speaks to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort.”

There is the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” But we know this is not true. Words do hurt, and words spoken, especially in childhood by someone in authority over our lives, are “cemented” into our soul.

 Jesus came to set the prisoners free, and by the power of His Spirit, we can be set free to become all that He created us to be! And that is good news! It may take a process of healing and walking in revealed truth, but His provision and Presence is available for every person!

 Also, as those who have been restored back into God’s original intention in Jesus, we, too, can be a part of bringing healing and restoration to others through the Holy Spirit-inspired words we speak and write. What a powerful creative gift we have been given! May we use it wisely. No wonder we are told,

“When virtue is stored within, the hearts of good and upright people will produce good fruit. But when evil is hidden within, those who are evil will produce evil fruit. You can be sure of this: when the day of judgment comes, everyone will be held accountable for every careless word  he has spoken.  (Matthew 12:35-36 TPT)

• “Careless” — the Greek word is “argos” which means “inactive”: idle, free from labor, at leisure, lazy, shunning the labor which one ought to perform, unprofitable, pernicious (“having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way”**), tardy, useless, barren.*

With this in mind, this is my prayer. How about you?

So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God.”   (Psalm 19:14 TPT)

There is so much more that can be said about the power of words! We will definitely explore this further as we travel our journey together!

Your turn:

1. Research the meaning of your given name. Ask Holy Spirit to give you insight into how the meanings relate to who you are. 

        (Our names are often the way that God identifies who we are, even though our parents may not have understood this concept. But also remember that even in the Bible, God occasionally gave someone a new name because they were stepping more fully into the destiny and identity He had established for them.)

2. What words were spoken into your life as a child that either encouraged or hindered you?

3. What words have you spoken into the lives of others that you realize had great impact in their lives?

4. Research the power of blessings and curses. (see the resource list below)

5. Research the power of decrees. Patricia King has a lot of great teaching and books on this subject. (see below)

6. Read the gospels (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).

• How did Jesus use words to heal and deliver?
• To establish identity and destiny for others?
•  To establish life-giving truth?  

For Further Study:

1. Scripture

Genesis 1 + 2 (check it out in the Message Translation) 

Psalm 147:4 — The LORD “counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.”

Isaiah 40:26 — God calls all the stars by name

When the Son of God lived as the Son of Man on the earth, He “emptied Himself of His outward glory by reducing himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human!” (Philippians 2:7 TPT). He gave us an example of how a Spirit-filled and empowered human being should live.

The main two ways that Jesus ministered healing and deliverance was through touch and words of authority:

Luke 4:31-39 — “… For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out….”

Matthew 8:5-13 – the centurion understands that Jesus can heal from a distance with just a word (with authority under authority)

Mark 4:35-41 — Jesus “rebuked the storm and shouted to the sea, ‘Hush! Calm down!’ All at once the wind stopped howling and the water became perfectly calm.”

Other examples of healing, deliverance, provision, forgiveness, and blessing by Jesus’ spoken word — Mark 1:40-42; 2:1-12; 3:1-5; 5:1-17, 25-43; 6:33-44; 7:32-37; 8:1-9; 9:14-29; 10:13-16; 10:46-52; Luke 23:34

John 14:12-14 (TPT) — “I tell you this timeless truth: The person who follows Me in faith, believing in Me, will do the same mighty miracles that I do—even greater miracles than these because I go to be with my Father! For I will do whatever you ask Me to do when you ask me in My name…”

Acts 3:1-10 — Peter said, “I do not posses silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene — walk!”

Matthew 10:19-20 and Luke 12:11-12 — the Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak in difficult situations

2 Corinthians 5 (TPT) — “….²⁰ We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Turn back to God and be reconciled to him.”

     (TPT footnote for “ambassadors“: “To be ambassadors for Christ means that we are his diplomatic agents of the highest rank sent to represent King Jesus and authorized to speak on his behalf. We are the voice of heaven to the earth, invested with royal power through the name of Jesus and authority of his blood.”)

Matthew 16:15-20 (TPT) — “… And this truth of who I am will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church—My legislative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to overpower it!  I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.”

Matthew 18:18-19 (TPT) — “Receive this truth: Whatever you forbid on earth will be considered to be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be considered to be released in heaven.  Again, I give you an eternal truth: If two of you agree to ask God for something in a symphony of prayer, My heavenly Father will do it for you. ²⁰ For wherever two or three come together in honor of My name, I am right there with them!”

Matthew 12:33-37 and Luke 6:43-45 — the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart; we will be judged for every careless, idle word

2. Patricia King resources and videos  

   a.  Decrees (several books)  https://store.patriciakingministries.com/search?type=product&q=decrees 

     Search online for “Patricia King decrees YouTube” and you will find some video teachings on the subject 

    b.  Uncover the Hidden Identity in Your Name (a digital download course)  https://store.patriciakingministries.com/products/uncover-the-hidden-identity-in-your-name-digital-download-patricia-king

3.  “Blessings and Curses” (book by Derek Prince)

4.  “Matters of the Earth” (4 cd set by John Paul Jackson at www.streamsministries.com/shop/matters-of-the-earth/)

* blueletterbible.org **  Google Dictionary

Next time:  “Created In The Image of God: And Then There Were Two”