“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11
How powerful is a single word? A single word, a single sentence or phrase can bring a great measure of peace, happiness and joy, or a terror of anger, or perhaps deep sadness and depression. The Bible explains how Jesus treated people with love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and long-suffering. Unfortunately, some forget about the times he called people thieves, sinners, blind leading the blind, deaf, cold hearted, vipers, and hypocrites headed for Hell. Our Lord certainly understood the power of words. When we study about how to treat people, we should turn to the greatest book and the greatest instructor – Jesus. Words play a very important role in communicating real feelings about people and things. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
The environments of school, work, and entertainment are filled with words. Kids at school can be heard not only using foul words, but also words that are hurtful, cutting, and destructive. The workplace, even in the most professional settings, has words of the same caliber as schools. The entertainment arena is equivalent to the school and office as well. There is undoubtedly even more in the entertainment areas, especially like sporting events, concerts, TV, and movies.
What about the home? Is it possible that the home is a place where cutting, harsh, upsetting, unloving, and even foul words, are used? Being in an environment where foul language and harsh words are spoken can be very difficult for the Christian. In fact, some might think it is necessary to speak like this to be accepted or to be considered “cool.” It is very easy to be overcome with the temptation to speak words like that of a classmate or business associate. Even in the home when older or younger brother or sister begins to use words that are hurtful and of a bickering nature, it can cause others to speak in the same manner or tone. Think about 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
Perhaps one way to deal with this is to simply ask, “Would the Lord approve of the usage of such words?” The Bible says in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” James 4:11 says, Speak not evil one of another, brethren.” Also consider Colossians 3:8, “But now ye also put off all these … filthy communication out of your mouth.”
Sometimes the cutting and distasteful words are disguised by, “I was just kidding.” Have you ever written in ink the wrong date on an important document? You did not mean to, however, the harm was done and could not be completely erased. Consider Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” and Proverbs 18:8, which says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Matthew 12:36 says, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment, that we will be judged by every idle word that we speak.” Carefully consider and meditate upon this principle given by the Lord. Can we afford to just skim over this passage with the eternal weight that it carries?
Therefore, may we all consider the very smallest of things that we say in our daily walk. May we strive to have our speech seasoned and graceful. May we say what we mean and how we mean it, remembering the characteristics of our Lord. Pray for clean and clear communication.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
