If you go to Central American University in El Salvador you can see the room where six Jesuits and two women were killed.

But the killers didn’t only shoot people. They shot their books. That’s right: their books were riddled with bullet holes.

One of those books was a theological dictionary. It was open to an article on the Holy Spirit.* The irony, of course, is that bullets cannot kill God’s Spirit. They cannot kill the Word of God. Nor can they silence the people of God—not forever.

Never underestimate the power of your words. God uses words of faith, humility, grace and truth to beat back the powers of darkness and advance his own kingdom.

When Stephen was being unjustly stoned to death, he cried out: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). His mouth spoke words of forgiveness in the face of pain and death. As a result, vengeance was rebuked, and future generations saw powerful faith in action.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were about to be thrown into the blazing furnace, they said: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it… But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18). Their mouths spoke words of courage in the face of torture. As a result, love outshone the Devil’s schemes, and future generations saw powerful faith in action.

I say this to reassure and hearten you.

Your words can share hope about Jesus.

Your words can share light in someone’s darkness.

Your words can share encouragement on days that seem insurmountable.

Your words can share truth in an era of mass deception.

Your words can be used by God, even when you can’t see how.

They shot the books. But bullets cannot kill God’s Spirit. They cannot kill the Word of God. Nor can they silence the people of God—not forever. 

God consistently uses words that honour him to advance his kingdom in the world. So let’s use words of grace and truth, and let’s speak in a way that is consistent with the God of eternity.

Notes:

–The Up Daily Devotional is celebrating 10 years!
Recently I was interviewed by Life 100.3FM (Ontario’s Christian Superstation) about this devotional. I also provide information about how it all began, and also how it’s going. Click here to read (or listen), or tune in to ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ wherever you subscribe.

-*As told in: Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Seven Last Words (Burns & Oates, 2005), 6.

-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and resumes on July 14, 2025.

-Bible quotes are from the NIV.