In the Bible, “utter” often refers to expressing or proclaiming something verbally. It can signify speaking out loud or declaring thoughts, feelings, or commands, as seen in various scriptures where individuals voice their prayers, praises, or prophecies.
Scripture
13 “Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.
14 “Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me.”
15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed.
Meaning of “Utter” in the Bible
The term “utter” in the Bible encapsulates the profound act of verbal expression, often signifying the importance of spoken words in conveying one’s convictions, emotions, and divine instructions. In Psalms, for instance, the phrase “I will utter” frequently appears in expressions of praise and worship. Psalms 78:2 states, “I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,” where the psalmist emphasizes the necessity of articulating wisdom and understanding to the people. This reflects not only the importance of sharing knowledge but also the role of proclaiming messages that may hold deeper spiritual truths.
Moreover, the significance of “uttering” extends to prayer and proclamation, as seen in Romans 10:9-10: “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Here, “utterance” is tied to faith and salvation, highlighting the transformative power of spoken declarations in the believer’s journey. Thus, “utter” becomes not just a linguistic action but a vital component of faith, community, and divine engagement, underscoring the biblical principle that words hold the power to create, transform, and connect individuals to God and to one another.
The concept of “utterance” can also be explored through the lens of prophetic declarations found throughout the scriptures. Prophets frequently used the act of speaking to reveal God’s will and intentions, embodying a connection between the divine and human realms. For instance, in the prophetic books, we often see phrases such as “Thus says the Lord” or “I will declare,” underscoring the weight and authority of their messages. The act of uttering prophetic words served as a call to repentance or a promise of hope, showcasing how powerful spoken declarations have the potential to alter hearts and navigate the future of a community.
Additionally, the significance of “utter” can be observed in the practice of confession and testimony, where believers are encouraged to openly declare their faith. This is evident in various letters of the New Testament, where Christians are urged to share their experiences of faith and the truths of the Gospel with boldness. Such utterances not only strengthen individual believers but also build up the church as a whole. The communal aspect of speaking one’s faith reinforces the concept that utterance goes beyond personal sentiment; it becomes a means of fostering unity and support among believers, as they collectively acknowledge and proclaim the truth of God’s promises. This thematic thread illustrates that through the act of uttering, individuals participate in a divine dialogue, forging connections across temporal and spiritual dimensions.
The Expression of Truth
In the biblical context, “utter” often signifies the act of expressing or proclaiming truth. This can relate to the declaration of God’s word, the sharing of prophetic messages, or the articulation of one’s faith. The act of uttering is not merely about speaking; it embodies the responsibility of conveying divine truths and the importance of honesty in communication.
The Power of Speech
“Utter” also reflects the power inherent in words. In the Bible, speech is portrayed as a creative force, capable of building up or tearing down. The act of uttering can lead to significant consequences, whether it be in the context of blessings, curses, or the sharing of wisdom. This highlights the biblical teaching that words have the power to influence lives and shape realities.
The Call to Worship
Additionally, “utter” can be associated with the act of worship and praise. In many instances, believers are called to utter praises to God, expressing their reverence and gratitude. This form of utterance is not just a ritualistic practice but a heartfelt response to God’s goodness and majesty, emphasizing the relational aspect of communication with the divine.
How to Strengthen Your Faith Through Compassion and Service
Strengthening your faith through compassion and service is a beautiful journey that not only deepens your relationship with God but also enriches the lives of those around you. When you step out of your comfort zone to help others, whether it’s volunteering at a local shelter, offering a listening ear to a friend in need, or simply sharing a smile with a stranger, you embody the love of Christ in action. Remember, Jesus taught us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for Him (Matthew 25:40). As you engage in acts of kindness, you’ll find that your heart opens up to the needs of others, and in turn, your faith will flourish. Each act of service becomes a thread that weaves you closer to the fabric of God’s love, reminding you that we are all part of a greater community. So, take that first step today—your faith will grow in ways you never imagined!
Bible References to the Meaning of “Utter”:
Leviticus 5:4-6: 4 Or if anyone utters with his lips a rash oath to do evil or to do good, any sort of rash oath that people swear, and it is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and he realizes his guilt in any of these;
5 then he shall confess the sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.
6 He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven.
Numbers 30:2-4: 2 If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
3 “If a woman vows a vow to the Lord and binds herself by a pledge, while within her father’s house in her youth,”
4 and her father hears of her vow and of her pledge by which she has bound herself and says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand.
Deuteronomy 23:21-23: 21 “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.
22 But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin.
23 You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised.
1 Samuel 1:12-14: 12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.
13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.
14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.”
2 Samuel 1:16-18: 16 And David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’”
17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son
And he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.
Job 8:2-4: 2 How long will you say these things, and the words of your mouth be a great wind?
3 Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert the right?
4 If your children have sinned against him,
he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.
Psalm 19:1-3: 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Psalm 106:32-34: 32 They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account;
33 For they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips.
34 They did not destroy the peoples as the Lord commanded them,
Proverbs 8:6-8: 6 Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right.
7 for my mouth will utter truth;
wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
8 All the words of my mouth are righteous;
there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
Isaiah 45:19-21: 19 I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I the Lord speak the truth; I declare what is right.
20 “Assemble yourselves and come;
draw near together,
you survivors of the nations!
They have no knowledge
who carry about their wooden idols,
and keep on praying to a god
that cannot save.
21 Declare and present your case;
let them take counsel together!
Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me.
Jeremiah 1:7-9: 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Be not afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.
9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Ezekiel 3:4-6: 4 And he said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel and speak with my words to them.
5 For you are not sent to a people of foreign speech and a hard language, but to the house of Israel—
6 not to many peoples of foreign speech and a hard language, whose words you cannot understand. If I had sent you to such, they would listen to you.
Daniel 10:16-18: 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
18 Then again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
Matthew 12:34-36: 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.
Mark 7:20-23: 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him.
21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Luke 6:45-47: 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:
John 7:16-18: 16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.
17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.
Acts 2:4-6: 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.
6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.
Romans 3:19-21: 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—
1 Corinthians 2:6-8: 6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
2 Corinthians 12:4-6: 4 was caught up into paradise and heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.
6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.
Ephesians 6:19-21: 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.
1 Peter 4:11-13: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Revelation 10:3-5: 3 and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded.
4 And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”
5 And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.