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Campus Life, May/June 1999
When Words Are Weapons
Ever say something in an unguarded moment and then feel like an idiot? I know I have, and I'd hate to think I was the only one.
As careful as I try to be with my words, I know I've blurted out some pretty stupid stuff. I've heard words come out of my mouth and wondered, Where did that come from?
I've also been on the receiving end of angry words. Hateful words. Taunting words. I know how they can burn.
Think for a moment of words that have hurt you—or words you have used to hurt others. It isn't difficult to remember those harsh words, because chances are the emotional scars they caused are still a little tender. It's one of the mysteries of speech: Once spoken, words hang around to haunt us.
The Bible says, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check" (James 3:2).
It sure would be great to have that kind of control over my words. I'd never have to watch a friend's face fall after something I said. My stomach wouldn't knot at the memory of a particularly vicious phrase. I'd know that my words have built others up instead of tearing them down.
Even though words can last forever, they leap past my lips in an instant—sometimes even quicker than my brain can consider them. Because of this, just thinking about changing my speech isn't good enough. I need to go deeper than my brain, all the way to the source of my words: my heart.
James uses the illustration of a bubbling spring. Where good water flows, it means there's a sparkling spring at its source. In the same way, where good words flow, it means purity, compassion and love are somewhere behind them.
When true faith enters my life, and I nurture it, it sets a process in motion. It begins purifying the spring of my words right there at the source—my soul. As I fill my mind with Scripture, the purifying process accelerates. Before I know it, I am tasting good words instead of bitter regret. From the Word:
"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" (James 3:10-11).
If we want to know what's
in our hearts, all we have to
do is listen to our words.
The Power Pack Challenge
In this "Power Pack," we consider how we use words. Harsh words can hurt, but words used wisely can be refreshing and helpful. So take the Challenge. Work on your words.
Read It!
Echoing Jesus
Jesus had some specific advice about our talk. He warned us about even our casual, idle words. He suggested that our words judge us. If we were standing before God as Judge, a mere repetition of our own words would be sufficient to either condemn us or acquit us (see Job 9:20).
But how about the example of Jesus? How did he use words?
Take a look at Luke 5. The episodes in this chapter show Jesus saying some pretty surprising things. Which of his statements seems most unusual to you? Why do you think he said it? What effect did his words have on the people around him?
John 4:1-42 is another example of Jesus's surprising speech. What would the disciples have said to the Samaritan woman (if they spoke to her at all)? What would your friends be likely to say? How might you communicate Jesus's message of love and forgiveness to an AIDS patient, a street person, a hard-boiled atheist, your worst enemy?
A wise man once told me …
The Old Testament book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings. Good words. It also has a lot to say about our speech. Proverbs contains 31 chapters. Read one chapter each day, and you will complete the book in about a month. Some people have found it so helpful, they reread Proverbs every month.
You could even start a notebook on Proverbs. As you read each chapter, write down everything it says about words. Write the idea as you would say it—in your own words. Try to express each phrase as a commitment or a prayer, like "Lord, today help me … " or "Today, I will … " | For example, Proverbs 1:10 reads, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." In your own words, you could write it, "Lord, today help me ignore people who try to talk me into doing something wrong."
Work on It!
• Make a list of people around you. Who needs an encouraging word? Who needs a word of praise or appreciation? Don't forget to include your own family on your list. Moms and dads and brothers and sisters need kind words, too. Sometimes home is the last place where we work on our speech.
• For one week, take an inventory of the most memorable words spoken to you. Every evening, review the day. What positive words were spoken to you? How did they make you feel? Did those words change your mood, your attitude, your actions? Did those words make you think? Did they cause you to consider something from a new perspective?
How about the negative, hurtful words? What were the circumstances? How did they make you feel?
Now repeat the process and think about the words you spoke to others. Be honest with yourself. How might your relationships change if you spoke fewer negative and more positive words?
Want more? If you've found this column helpful, you might be interested in the Deeper Devotions Series, also by James Long. It's Who You Are That Counts is a study of the fruit of the Spirit. When Things Get Tough is based on the book of James. Both are published by Zondervan Publishing House and are available at your local Christian bookstore, or for information, call 1-800-727-3480. |
Copyright © 1999 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail clmag@CampusLife.net.
May/June 1999, Vol. 57, No. 9, Page 12
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