Words are powerful, for good or ill. Journalists know that; so do politicians and so do preachers. Words shape how we live. It is little wonder that St John begins the prologue to his Gospel saying, “In the beginning was the Word”.

People live by the words they hear, and believe them for good or ill. People who think that they can't sing can often trace this back to a teacher who once told them that they had no voice. People who are told in childhood that they are worthless often believe it. Others, who are loved and told that they matter, grow into a mature inner security.

Aphorisms that explain, inspire or justify our actions become our credo. For example, “What's for you will no go by you” (a Scottish Calvinist maxim), “We're all Jock Tamson's bairns” or “It'll all be the same in a hundred years”.

These nurture our attitudes. Indeed, it's what we remember that makes us who we are. It's our memory that gives us our identity. Sadly, when people lose their memory they no longer know who they are.

The true test, however, of what we believe is how we live our lives. We all give off an impression, an air, a persona. People read us and see through us. “The way we do anything is the way we do everything,” said Richard Rohr, the Franciscan priest and writer. We may say we believe something, but our deeds will expose our true convictions, which can be very different. “Tell me how you spend your money (or your time), and I'll tell you what you believe.” It may be a crude rule of thumb, but we get the point.

Ours is a culture of soundbites, but so was the past. The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament tried to condense wisdom into memorable sayings to shape the way people lived. Wisdom is described by Eugene Peterson in The Message as “skill in the art of living”.

We all live by what we believe will make life more comfortable, more exciting, more enjoyable or more fulfilling, even if we are atheist. It's our beliefs - the things we hold on to, but can't prove - that set our goals and our values.

So it is a useful exercise to bring out of our subconscious those beliefs, attitudes and words that determine our conduct. Biblical texts aside, here are some of mine:

“Behind this universe there is a Spirit that delights to do no evil” (James Naylor).

“Everyone matters, everyone has a story, everyone has gifts.”

“When you use your skills you tire, when you use your gifts you're energised.”

“When what you should do, and what you want to do are the same, there is power in your living.”

“Listening is a form of loving.”

“Amor omnia vincit.”

“If you seek happiness, make others happy.”

“Memories can be healed.”

“The essence of sin is talking down to others.”

“The acceptance of our brokenness brings us closer to God than do our virtues.”

“Money is like fire, a good servant but a bad master.”

“What we don't transform, we transmit” (Rohr).

“God doesn't want me to work for Him, he wants me to work with Him.”

“The Christian community is one which never scapegoats.”

“Grace is everywhere.”

And those wonderful words of Desmond Tutu:

“Goodness is stronger than evil

Love is stronger than hate

Light is stronger than darkness

Life is stronger than death

Victory is ours through Him who loves us.”

I would subscribe to that.

The Rev David Lunan is Moderator- designate of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland