PREACHING OF THE WORD
-is more powerful upon the minds of people than the sword or anything else.

And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.”  Alma 31:5

Word of God
We readily realize the power of “God’s Word.” Topical Guide “Word of God”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God. (1 Nephi 11:25). It was the word of God; and [note this promise] whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction. (1 Ne. 15:23–24).  And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, “Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written,”—here is the message; it is the written word of the Lord—“That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” (Luke 4:1–4.) God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3),

And finally,

… this is an answer to the great challenge of our time. The word of God, as found in the scriptures, in the words of living prophets, and in personal revelation, has the power to fortify the Saints and arm them with the Spirit so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life. (The Power of the Word, Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign May 1986)

Word of Satan
We don’t talk about it enough but Satan also uses “words” to influence us!

The power of  “words” can destroy one’s spirit, even stir up hatred and violence. Words not only make wounds worse but can inflict wounds directly. Our words have the power to destroy and the power to build up. Proverb tells us, “The tongue has the power of life and death...” (Proverbs 18:21).

How does Satan operate? What are his tactics? Using his superior knowledge, his unique powers of persuasion, half-truths, and complete lies he “Preaches his Word” to influence us to sin and to rebel against God. Those who do not “hearken unto the voice / word of God” will  “hearken unto the voice / word of Satan.” (See: Satan Exposed)

And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. (Moses 4:3–4.)

Or how about this statement:

Satan is the world’s master in the use of flattery, and he knows the great power of speech (see Jacob 7:4). He has always been one of the great forces of the world.
(The Great Imitator James E. Faust October 1987)

Satan’s job description requires “words”- 

Sample of Satan using WORDS to LIE and PERSUADE:
     
“I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost and surely I will do this.” Moses 4:1 
“I am the God of this World.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” Genesis 3:4

One final thought about the power of Satan’s “words!” 

When we read about the anti-Christs of former days, we marvel at how perverted their thinking became and we marvel at how successful they were in deceiving men and women . We also wonder why some of the people were so gullible—so easily misled (with the words of Satan)… and go about our unguarded ways. This is dangerous. (Opposition to the Work of God, Calos E. Asay October 1981.)

CHALLENGE: 
Throughout the week identify examples of Satan’s “words” of lying and persuasion.

Here is an example of a “Satan’s Words” by the lawyers arguing for gay marriage in  Gay Marriage Argument in the Supreme Court April 2015. Use The Family: A Proclamation To The World as your standard of truth.

dr rick
dr rick’s blog index