In an age and culture of social media where everyone says what they think without restraint, let’s explore the power behind words and why they matter. The Bible says our words carry either blessing or curse. Period. Like, that’s it. It kind of scares me and makes me feel like I should not talk. Ever. At all.
The childhood movie Bambi had a great message from Thumper the rabbit: “If you can’t say sumthin’ nice, don’t say nuthin’ at all.” Truer cartoon words were never spoken or more profoundly true. Because words matter.
Encouraging words
So, gee, how do I know what I should talk about or speak of? How can my words bless others, or bless my own self? THIS is the foundation of how I write. I first write to myself. Why would I want to curse myself? So obviously I encourage myself with words of life and hope and affirmation. THEN I share them with others.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise think on these things.”
What an excellent rule of thumb for our words – you do know before words come out of our mouth they form in our thoughts. So first we need to think about things that are honest, true, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and full of praise. These are the words that we want to come from our lips. These are words of life and blessing. Because they matter.
“A word fitly spoken (at the proper time)is like apples of gold in pictures (dishes) of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)
When my son was young I wanted to teach him a lesson about his words; he was very outspoken and said what he thought without thinking. I have many stories when he said his thoughts out loud and in public, and I was the embarrassed mother. One day I took him outside into our yard full of dandelions. We had so much fun picking them and blowing off all the dandelion seeds. He loved watching the seeds blow up, up and away into the air.
When we were done I told him – “NOW we have to go pick up every seed we blew into the air”. He looked panic stricken and his little lip began to tremble as he saw the serious look on my face. “Mom, we can’t do THAT! They all blew away and there is too many and they are all gone away!”
I sat him down and said, “Yes, you are right, and those seeds are just like the words you say. Once you say them, you can’t get them back.” He is a grown up now and he says he still remembers the dandelion lesson!
More than words
This music video is a gentle reminder that indeed our words DO matter!
“Oh the words of hate – they get you down; they leave you abandoned on the ground. You’re made for more than second place. You’ll find your way – just trust in faith. Get up and run; don’t be afraid. You’re so much more than words they say.” (Joanna Yaeger)
Please think about what you say with your mouth and what you type with your fingers. Be kind. Speak life, not death.
