Worldbuilding. It’s used by fiction writers to create a specific setting. Think of “a galaxy far, far way” in Star Wars, the Shire in Lord of the Rings, or Panem in The Hunger Games. Nadeem Kazi gives this a twist.

“Your words become your world.” Nadeem Kazi Click To Tweet

Words. We don’t associate them with our world. Sometimes they gush like water from a fire hose. Sometimes we chew on them, like savoring the last bit of flavor from a piece of gum. Sometimes words invigorate like a needed shot of caffeine. Sometimes they cut, leaving a bloody trail. But do words create a world? Our own story’s setting?

Yet, Scripture tells us that our words define who we are. In the passage below, David describes an acquaintance.

“He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him. He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil. May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.” Psalm 109:17-19 NIV

David offers three keys to this man and the world he’s building:

Pleasure: He fed what gave him pleasure, and, for this guy, it was hurting others. Behavior like giving anger free rein, putting another person down, or gossiping can give us a rush. (Dare I mention complaining?) Some people never grow out of that. What drives your verbal high points?

Essence: Cursing became part of him. His body. His bones. Jesus said, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” What does your mouth say about your heart?

Style: David compares the man’s speech to clothing. Just as your clothes hint at your personality, your words give a picture as well. What style are you sporting?

Negativity floods our ears. Flesh and Satan make a great team. Cursing comes naturally to our flesh and the nature of our enemy manifests in theft, death, and destruction. These words create a Hunger Games-type setting.

But as we keep step with the Holy Spirit, positivity becomes our default. Blessing, truth, encouragement, praise, comfort. These great feelings last longer and wear better. Frodo could dig his hairy hobbit toes into a place like this.

“Your words become your world.” Nadeem Kazi

What world are you building?

Workout for the Week: Worldbuilding, Wordsmithing

Memory Verse: “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Matthew 12:34 NIV

Meditation Passage: “He loved to pronounce a curse—may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing—may it be far from him. He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil. May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.” Psalm 109:17-19 NIV

Just Do It: Choose your words like a writer would. Carefully.