The Right Words

Words are a powerful medium. We have talked about serving “with words” and “without words”. This week as we focus on serving in ways that may be difficult or challenging for us, an area that I want to revisit is the use of our words.

Words wield a great deal of power in having the ability to shape the mind and the life of those who hear the words. It is humbling to realize that our words possess the power to have a great impact on those around us for good or for bad. A specific area of influence that James addresses is teaching. He says, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Reflect on the power of the spoken word as described by James:

”We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:2, 5-6a, 7-10

Doesn’t that make you just want to live the rest of your life under a vow of silence? I know that James is addressing those who teach but the principles are applicable for so much of our life. We all fill the role of “teacher” at some point in our life. Whether it is being a parent, a supervisor at work, a baseball coach, etc… we must wisely choose our words so that we do not inadvertently lead someone astray.

Proverbs 3 and 4 have a lot to say about discernment, wisdom and understanding. Chapter 4 verse seven reads, “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” If we are drawing from the right well for our day to day life we will have a greater confidence that the words we speak to others in those “teaching moments” will be the right words. Always be looking to the ALL WISE ONE who can give us the right words when we are called on for duty.

Prayer: Lord, take my hands, my feet, my mind and my tongue and use them for your glory. Amen