“Let all . . evil speaking be put away from you . . and be kind.” Ephesians 4:31 NKJV
“Words matter eternally!”
My thoughts today are about “words.”
With the burgeoning information technology, words are so instantaneous, global, and plenteous that they seem cheapened. Words are not given the respect of proper usage, spelling, grammar, or punctuation, often being substituted by symbols, first letters of a phrase, vowel-less abbreviations, or vulgarity and profanity. Words are casually devalued lacking the credibility they once had. There was a time when “a man’s word was his bond,” which meant one’s word was honored because of proven character and trustworthiness. That does not always seem as true now. Your words should be honest, sincere, and kind.
My Dad taught me that “a man is only as good as his word, no better, no worse.” Violate your word and you compromise your integrity and others’ trust. The public discourse now requires multiple experts’ commentary to translate what a public figure really meant by the words they spoke. And when could you last believe an advertiser? But words mean something, or at least they ought to. The Internet has spawned a heretofore unimagined volume of misinformation that can then be spread far and wide with anonymity and without responsibility.
The Bible says, “Troublemakers listen to troublemakers. Liars listen to liars.” Proverbs 17:4 CEV. That suggests to me that one’s conversation and conduct generally influence the kind of conversation and conduct to which you are drawn and with which you feel most comfortable. Another contemporary translation of the above verse reads, “Evil people relish malicious conversation; the ears of liars itch for dirty gossip.” The Message.
A child’s rhyme says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But that’s not really true, is it? People seem to think words are just sounds spoken into the air and soon forgotten, but words can endure for lifetimes, either cherished or hurtful. God views words much more seriously than you may think. Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure (of his heart) brings forth evil things.” Matthew 12:34-35 NKJV. Words are an expression of your inner life – they can be compliment or complaint, affirmation or accusation, praise or prejudice, and bring peace or problems. Jesus continued: “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of 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 NKJV. Words matter eternally!
With words God created the Heavens and the earth. “Then God said, ‘Let there be . . and there was . . we understand that the world was framed by the word of God.” Genesis 1:3/Hebrews 11:3 NKJV. What do you create with your words? Know this; God does not view your words lightly, nor should you. “Think before you speak . . don’t say anymore than you have to . . the more you talk, the more likely you are to say something foolish . . don’t let your own words lead you into sin . . A man of knowledge uses words with restraint.” Ecclesiastes 5:2-7 TEV/ Proverbs 17:27 NIV. Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open one’s mouth and be known as one. Wisdom is found in God’s Word. Ephesians 4:29-32 NKJV/Colossians 4:6 NLT.
My prayer for you today is that you use your words well and wisely.