God's Love Languages- Part 1: Words of Affirmation
I really love the book “The 5 love languages” by Gary Chapman because it helps you understand the different love languages of yourself and others. It also teaches how we can effectively love a person through their love languages, all by the grace of God. Some of the love languages mentioned in the book includes: Words of Affirmation; Acts of Service; Quality Time; Gifts and Physical Touch.
It’s no coincidence that we are made in the image and likeness of God. Just as we humans have love languages, I truly believe God has love languages as well. When we understand what they are, it will help us in strengthening our connection with God and going deeper in intimacy with Him. We all desire to be loved, but God also longs for us to truly love Him from the bottom of our hearts.
Today, as one of God’s love languages, we will look at The Words of Affirmation.
Someone with Words of Affirmation as their love language appreciates compliments given to them. Can you remember the last time you got a captivating text from someone you love? Possibly a spouse, someone you were in a relationship with or a friend, and in that text they expressed how they love you and the reasons behind it. Remember how you were smiling uncontrollably, with others not knowing why you randomly started smiling. Days after days, that text replayed in your mind and every time you thought about it, you could not help but smile. That’s the same feeling God has when we praise Him.
He says in Psalms 100:4, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise”. In some places in Africa, during a ceremony, there are bands that play different instruments but there is one particular instrument called the “Talking Drum”. Truly, it talks (not literally) but through the words of the instrumentalists as they sing praises to you. As they play, your spirit is so lifted up and filled with joy, that in no time, you are so excited to tip them heavily! Why? Because of the words of affirmations sang about you. It’s the same that happens when we praise God from the depth of our hearts. When we thank Him for what He has done, is doing and will do in our lives and we praise Him for who He is, this truly exalts God. It’s no wonder David says in Psalms 22:3 “Yet I know that you are most holy; it’s indisputable. You are God-Enthroned, surrounded with songs, living among the shouts of praise of your princely people”. (The Passion Translation- TPT). David was a man that really understood how to express words of affirmation to God. The majority of the book of Psalms are words of affirmation to God, and we can see that God mentions David as a man after His heart. Words of Affirmation to God touches the very heart of God.
You may be wondering if David was manipulating God by using words of affirmation, but it would be an insult to think we can trick God without Him being aware. God is looking for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23, emphasis).
I used to wonder why God needed us to praise Him as well since He had angels and the heavenly 24 elders singing his praise all through- Revelation 19. A few reasons, but not limited to, are:
We are the only creation that was made in the image and likeness of God. This is a very big deal because we carry the very DNA of God almighty, the master of this universe, the God none can compare to and yet we are made in his image and likeness.
We were created to praise Him. In 1 peter 2:9 it says “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light”
We were redeemed from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light- 1 peter 2:9
If we don’t praise God, there are stones ready to take our place. Luke 19:40 mentions how if no man will praise Him, the stone will break forth with praise. There is a praise tank that has been allotted for us to fill with our praises to God. This is to come from a willing heart to God. We are more significant than stones but if a “special people of God” are not willing to praise God, then something as insignificant as stones are ready to take our place. God forbid!
Let’s make the decision today to fill God’s love tank with words of affirmation from the bottom of our heart.
Side Nugget: As I was pondering on this revelation, the Holy Spirit started revealing how “stones” have replaced many spouses in marriages. There are words of affirmation that your spouse needs to hear from you, not from anyone else. This is how God has designed it to be so. When this is void and empty, there is a possibility of stones being raised to fill that void- such could be friends etc. If the enemy hijacks the situation, those words of affirmation could come from destructive places like the opposite sex which could open the door to ungodly thoughts or actions if not dealt with. Do not open the door to “stones” taking your place.
Regardless of how much words of affirmation you are speaking, if the line of communication is not connected, it’s difficult for the other person to hear what you are saying. Jesus Christ is your line of communication and He is willing to connect you and God the Father together to start this journey of intimacy. If you would like to make this decision today, please say this prayer:
“Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you are the Son of God and I believe You died for me on the cross of Calvary. I know I am a sinner and today, I come to You to forgive me of all my sins and to make me a brand new creation. I accept You as my personal Lord and Saviour. Thank you Lord for forgiving me and making me born again, in Jesus name, Amen”.
Congratulations!!!! You are now born-again! (It simply means a new born baby in Christ and there is celebration in heaven right now because of YOU!)
If you made this decision, please leave a comment on this post or reach out to us at https://www.cccghq.org/contact/
By: Pastor Ibukun Adewusi