There is an old Jewish tale of a rabbi telling his student how to make amends for harsh words spoken to others.  The rabbi meets the student in the middle of their windy town with a feather pillow.  Ripping the pillow apart, the feathers scatter in every direction blowing further and further away.  The rabbi tells the student to retrieve every feather to make amends for the words.  The student declares this is impossible, and the rabbi agrees.  It is the same with trying to fix the harm inflicted by hurtful words.

With approximately 175,000 words in the English language, is it any wonder our mouths get us into so much trouble?  Words are powerful – inciting a myriad of reactions from those around us.

What we say matters.

Sometimes this is really obvious. Like the time I was pacing frantically back and forth in the hospital, desperately crying out to God for a miracle, when a single word uttered had a life changing impact. The doctor had informed us there was nothing more they could do – they had tried everything . Then he asked, “Do you want us to keep trying?”

There are only two ways to answer this question – Yes or No.

With a yes there is still possibility and hope for a miracle.  Death is not yet a reality.

But with a no, you feel you are giving up – losing faith – creating the ending.

Although this is an extreme example, so many of our words have a similar effect in the lives of others.

We can rip an idea to shreds or help build the foundation of a dream.

We can help pave a straight path, send off on a detour or cause a landslide.

We can provide hope or despair and incite anger or relief.

God’s Word has a lot to say about our words.  The following verses offer two extremes:

Proverbs 16:24 tells us, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste^[a] and health to the body.”

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Words can be health and life or death.  Luke 6:45 reminds us that our mouths speak from the overflow of our heart.

I don’t know about you, but I could definitely use a heart check – daily!

Let’s commit to monitor our words and their effect on others.

What we say matters.

 

Consider

• Read the following verses making notes of everything said about words.
  • Matthew 12: 33-37
  • Mark 13:11
  • Luke 6: 43-45
  • 1 Cor. 12:3
  • Proverbs 14:23
  • Proverbs 29:19

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How do these scriptures apply to your life right now?

• Spend some time reflecting on when you speak harsh, angry words. What motivates you to this reaction? Is there a consistent trigger?
  • If so, find verses to pray over this particular motivation. For example – anger, impatience, control…

 

Feeling ambitious?

• Read Genesis 24: 45 -52
  • List what is said and the action(s) produced.
  • What does this reveal to you about the connection between words and actions?
  • Commit to observing what actions your words create this week.