Do All Your Words Pass These 2 Tests?

Am I speaking for Jesus, with gratitude?

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Whatever you do in word or deed,

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Colossians 3:17 (NASB)

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This Scripture makes me think of

how thoughtfully I’d make an apple pie from scratch.

And how carefully I’d serve it, or give it away.

My words should be even more so.

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Speaking for Jesus

Colossians 3:17 reveals how closely my words are connected to me—and to God:

Words are something done by me. My words are counted as actions.
What I do using words is to be done as an agent of—in the name of—Jesus.
I am designed to express gratitude to God the Father, through Jesus, as I speak or write.

How This Scripture Sets Me Free

Living according to Colossians 3:17 would likely change my word count, as well as my attitude. Here’s why:

As I consider how to say every word I say in the name of the Lord Jesus, I realize that I would be freed from speaking or writing other kinds of words. Words formed and shared in the name of the Lord Jesus (and homemade apple pie) aren’t for throwing.
Giving thanks to the Father through Jesus as I speak and write words would be a great channel for my mind to be continuously attuned to and operate in. Gratitude to God as a lifestyle: yes, please.
This Scripture affirms the value of words fitly spoken. Words done the way this Scripture teaches are part of the good works God has prepared in advance for us to do. (See Ephesians 2:10.)

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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold

In settings of silver.

Proverbs 25:11 (NKJV)

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This content first appeared in the July 2026 email newsletter. Subscribe at amylu-riley.com/subscribe.

Text content copyright © 2026 by AmyLu Riley. Scripture quotations marked NASB taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.lockman.org Scripture marked NKJV taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Apple pie photo courtesy Stephanie Monfette on Unsplash.