THE POWER OF WORDS

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Many of you probably remember this verse from childhood. Perhaps you have used it when others were calling you names and in other ways using words to hurt you. When I was growing up, it was very popular. There is one big problem with it; it is a lie! Words do hurt and we need to be aware of the power of words. Words are the tools with which we work and for this reason we should learn to use them well. We should strive to become the master of our words as a carpenter does the ruler, hammer, and saw. What we build with our words is far more important than what the carpenter may build with tools.

James tells us in chapter 3 that the tongue is very dangerous. Our words can be used as powerful weapons or as effective tools. Every Christian should strive to be an expert in the use of their words. The person that is a master of words may be the master of any situation (James 3:2).

It has been said that thoughts are the children of your brain and words are the garments they wear. We must be careful not to dress our thoughts with words that make them look like tramps. Words are powerful. They can wreck homes, destroy lives, ruin businesses, and leave a congregation torn asunder. In most congregations that have had trouble, it was started by words that should never have been uttered.

Words can stir the human emotions and passions. Words can bring heartaches and tears. Some of the deepest wounds ever made in the human heart were slashed with biting and unkind words. Words can bring joy and cover faces with smiles. Many a soul that has lost the joy of living and sunk in the depths of despair has been saved from ruin and destruction by kind words. We admire the doctor that may use a surgeon’s tools to save a life and yet we have within our grasp tools that may not only save a physical life, but a soul from ruin and destruction.

Is it any wonder the Psalmist said, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). We would do well to utter this prayer at the beginning of each day and of each conversation. Our words will justify or condemn us (Matthew 12:36-37). Our words are the revelation of what is in our hearts Matthew 12:34-35). The best way to control our lips is to control our hearts.
--Lamar