“These things ought not to be.” James 3:10 NKJV
“Once a word is spoken it does not immediately, if ever, cease to exist.”
My thoughts today are that “words matter.”
It is important to understand and remember that words matter. Too often, words are casually cast into the air without enough forethought of their accuracy or afterthought regarding their potentially lasting affect on the hearer. A word can have a far different result than the speaker may have intended or anticipated. Once a word is spoken it does not immediately cease to exist. The ripple effect is far more than that single moment.
Long after you are silent, words reside a while in the mind and emotions of both yourself and each person who hears them, and may extend in an ever widening circle that you never imagined or ever again control. Can you believe how long or how well people remember words that especially hurt or helped them?
There are words I wish I had never spoken – judgments, criticism, or complaint I wish I had never made – a confidence I wish I had not shared – frustration or anger I wish I had not expressed. There were words I wish I had spoken“The tongue of the wise brings healing . . gentle words bring life and health.” Proverbs 12:18 NIV/15:4 NLT. – words of appreciation, congratulation, apology, or explanation when I had the opportunity to do so and thereby help or heal someone.
It is best to fully appreciate that words matter. “What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.” Proverbs 18:21 TEV. You are never just talking; you are never off the record. What those words are determines whether they are helpful or hurtful. The Bible gives a great deal of counsel about minding your mouth, controlling your tongue, and wisely choosing your words. “Do not be rash with your mouth, and do not let your heart utter anything hastily before God . . therefore let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:2 NKJV.
I remember my Mom warning me, “You had better mind your mouth!” I think I heard that more than once, unfortunately. My parents never indulged my talking back to them or speaking disrespectfully, to them or any adult. “The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.” Proverbs 10:19 TEV. I am pretty sure that what’s my Mom meant when she warned to mind my mouth. “If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say.” Proverbs 21:23 TEV. See also Psalm 19:14/34:12-14 NIV.
It is true that “What is in your heart will determine what you say.” Luke 6:45 NLT. It would seem that you need to mind your heart as well as your mouth. Here’s the problem. “Blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely . . this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh and bitter water?” James 3:10-11 NLT. These things ought not to be!
Your words matter to God, and to others, and to your own well being. “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” Ephesians 4:29-30 TEV/NKJV.
My prayer for you today is: let your words be sweet in case you have to “eat them.”