Walking with the Wise #139: The Wonder of our Words

“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;

he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
—Proverbs 13:3

On December 4, 2011 in the city of Koblenz, Germany, a massive 1.8- ton British WW-II bomb was diffused. It was found when the water of the Rhine river fell to very low levels. In order to diffuse the bomb, about half of the city’s 107,000 residents had to be evacuated. No matter that the bomb was almost 70 years old. The power it held was still enough to kill thousands of people.

Words are very similar. We all know the words that wounded us when we were children, and we still carry the scars from them. We know that words can last a lifetime and are just as explosive now in our lives as they were when they first were spoken. I know of men 70, 80 years old that still carry in them words that their father or mother said to them when they were 8 or 9 years old. It’s amazing the power words have.

Solomon tells us that we do well to watch our mouths and what we say. We have the potential to wound someone for life, but we also have the potential to bless someone in ways that we can’t comprehend. As a pastor, I know that there have been times that I’ve taken just a few moments to jot down some encouraging words and then sent them to someone. I know of individuals who have taken those little notes and then carried them around for years as a way of motivation and encouragement. Our words have the potential to build up or break the spirits of others and we must make sure that we guard our lips and use them carefully. Like a knife, our words can cut to hurt or to heal; it all hinges on how skilled we are at using them. Swing them around carelessly and we will hurt others. But use them with care, and we will heal and help them. The one who uses words carefully will not only benefit others, but himself. But the one who uses his words recklessly will destroy not only others, but himself.

How are you using your words? Will you use your words to help or hurt others, to heal or to harm? Ask the Lord to help you and He will. He has given His Spirit to grow up the life of His Son within you. Your flesh will fight back, but remember that by faith in Jesus, and by carrying His cross daily, you have died to your old way of living. Live the resurrection life of Jesus and then you will discover your words becoming a source of delight to others, God will receive the glory, and you—the joy. Amen.