Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a word about… words.
Because with school starting you know how kids can be with words. Proverbs 12 verse 18, says, "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." But you know well it's not just a matter of sticks and stones may break my bones or reckless words on a playground. We adults -- you and I Christian adults, especially – need to remember how incredibly potent our words are. What we say, what comes out of our mouth, the words we choose, all of them, are either nudging people closer to God, or pushing them away from Him. What we say carries a great weight. Think of it…
When God created the world, He spoke it into being. When Jesus walked the earth, He spoke and the lame were healed. When Peter preached his first sermon, he spoke and thousands were gathered into the kingdom. Powerful things happen when we speak. Our words can either accomplish great good, or inflict terrible damage. And God knows this about what we say – in fact He is the one who has arranged it so that our words are granted incredible clout. Proverbs chapter 18, verse 21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." And what is God's purpose for our words, our speech? My friend, Dr. Dan Allender, describes the purpose of our words this way. He says, "We are to sow words like seeds in order to produce a harvest of fruit that blesses God."
My husband Ken does this with me – the other day he told me how proud he was of me for the way I encouraged one of my girlfriends. I tell you, just those few brief words he said made me want to strive harder and do better – in other words, I was experiencing Ken’s harvest of fruit in my own life. And it felt good!
Throughout Scripture we are admonished to choose and use words carefully. They are to heal others; our words are to foster holiness. Sadly, though, our words are not only instruments of help, but hurt. Words can create division, can’t they, and with just the slightest inflection – and you know what I’m talking about -- just a subtle change in tone of voice, words can wound or create distance. It’s why we are warned in James chapter 3 that, "The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." Don’t you think it’s interesting that having said that, the book of James does not give us any advice about biting our tongues or stopping our speech? Instead, God's Word asks us to develop a sense of horror, a sense of responsibility over the damage our tongue can inflict. The sobering reality of how such a little, tiny, small part of the body can do so much good or harm should wake us up to the power of our words.
And I have some good words for you in a Gospel tract I’d like to give you called “Access to God.” I want you to give these little tracts to your friends who need encouragement and you, too, will be producing a harvest of fruit in the lives of others. When we’re done here, you can get my “Access to God” tracts by heading over to my radio page at joniandfriends.org. Finally, friend, look for ways today you can exalt Christ through your speech. Find opportunities to sincerely encourage and commend your co-workers, family members, neighbors or pastor or members of your congregation. In fact, I want you to pray with me right now, “Lord, today please show me ways I can speak words of healing and holiness into the lives of others. Help me to think and pray for wisdom before I say anything. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”
© Joni and Friends
Used by permission of Joni and Friends
P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376