Power of Words

Have you ever said something and then immediately regretted it? I know I have. Sometimes we say things we don’t necessarily mean when we are angry, or hurt, or when we are trying to defend ourselves. Sometimes we say things that are meant to “poke fun” at others. Sometimes we are sarcastic towards others and sometimes we seek to maim with the words that come out of our mouths. The bottom line is words can hurt. The old “I’m rubber you’re glue whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you” saying that I know we have all said at some point, really is not true. It may be something you say over and over to yourself to lessen the sting of an unbridled tongue that went off in your direction, but when you think about it, words really do hurt. I remember one particular instance in my own life when words have hurt me. I had this “friend” who took it upon himself to make a list of everything he didn’t like about me and then he gave it to me, like someone gives you a present they are proud of. There was no other intention in writing that and giving that to me than to hurt me, and it did hurt me, for quite a while. I’m sure we all have been victims of someone else’s careless words at some point in our lives, but have you ever hurt someone with your careless words? Have you ever said something to someone, or even behind their backs with the intention of hurting them? I know I have. I’ll admit it. When someone hurts me, my first inclination is to hurt them right back. How many of you react the same way? If you are really honest with yourselves, most of you react the same way. I’ll be the first to tell you it is really hard to take it when someone says or does something mean and hurtful to me and not react in a negative way - really, really hard. I think even David understood that. Look at what he says in Psalm 39. “I said to myself, “I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” But as I stood there in silence – not even speaking of good things – the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words.” (1-3) Wow, so how many of you can identify with David here? I know I can. David was being attacked by his enemies and he wanted so badly to give them a good tongue lashing, but he knew that it would not be honoring to God. He knew that it was sinful, but what David also realized is that by dwelling on what was said and what had happened he was only making things worse for himself. Ever wonder why the Bible says our hearts and minds should be guarded? This would be why. We can sin in our hearts, we can sin in our minds, and we can sin with our mouths. Words are pretty powerful and they can really hurt people. They can also really encourage people. At the risk of sounding cliché, you need to decide whether or not you are going to use your words for good, or evil – whether or not you are going to honor or dishonor God in how you speak to and interact with others.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8