The Power of Words
Monday, June 10, 2019
Words
can bring joy and words can bring pain.
Words have so many meanings, so many different powerful meanings. But some
people are careless enough to where they don’t worry how their words will
affect other people. They don’t think
before they speak. And not only do they
not care how it could affect the people around them but as Christians, it seems
we’ve lost interest in representing Christ very well with our words.
Whether
it be cursing, gossiping, making inappropriate jokes, talking behind
someone’s back, lying, or not following through with what we say, our words
have power. And once spoken, they can’t
be taken back. I think it’s safe to say
that every single one of us have been culpable of doing everything I just
listed, at some point in our lives. And
maybe it wasn’t even intentional, but we’ve all done it. And that’s why it is so important to think
before we speak. Ask yourself, would I be representing Christ very well if I
said that?
There
are plenty of verses in the Bible that talk about watching what we say. Take Ephesians 4:29 for example, “Let no
unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for
edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to
those who hear.” The positive is being emphasized over the negative. Being like Christ means we don’t use foul,
dirty language. For some reason, many people in our society think it is “cool”
or liberating, if you will, to use vulgar humor, dirty jokes, or cursing, but there’s
no dignity in that and this kind of talk has no place in the life of a
Christian.
“But I
tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an
accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be
justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37). Words are so important, that we’re going to
have to give an account of what we say when we stand before the Lord Jesus
Christ on the day of judgment.
Matthew
15:18 states, “but the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the
heart, and those defile the man.” Jesus
reminds us that the words we speak actually come from our heart. When someone becomes a Christian, there is an
expectancy that a change of speech follows because living for Christ makes a
difference in our choice of words. Our
words also depict a lot about our character.
So be mindful of what you say, and how it will shape your
integrity.
What
we speak, reflects what is in our hearts.
Your choice of words says a lot about you. Are your words filled with complaining or
cursing? Or is it characterized by
worship for the Lord and sound wisdom?
This shows what is kept in your heart, and if it is negative, or
displeasing to God, maybe you should reevaluate what you’ve been focusing
on. When we set our hearts on the Lord,
good, helpful speech will easily progress from each of us.
What
if we say something but don’t follow through with it? Really think about the weight of what you are
saying before you speak it. Because
people take words seriously, and if you just go around spitting out words for
the sake of spitting out words then later on, no one will be able to take you
seriously because half of what you say doesn’t line up with what you do. If you say something, make sure you really
mean it. Otherwise it will get you into trouble
later on, and then that is when trust starts to diminish. I know that from experience. Words can make you or break you.
What
you say is what you get. Don’t expect to
get away with saying stupid stuff, and then be treated respectfully and be held
to a high standard. That’s not how it
works. You pick the standard you want
for yourself and live up to it. Speak
with dignity and use words that are filled with kindness and respect. You’ll go far with that.
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