The Power of Words

A middle-aged woman bought a new line of expensive cosmetics guaranteed to make her look years younger.   After sitting in front of a mirror for a long time applying the "miracle" products, she asked, "Honey, honestly, what age would you say I am?"   Her husband replied, " Well. Your hair looks like you're thirty; your skin looks like you're thirty-one; and your figure looks like you're thirty-four."   "Oh, Darling," she gushed, "You say the nicest things.   Then he continued, "Wait a minute! Give me a chance to add them all up."

Have you ever said something you immediately wished you could take it back?

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. –James 3:1-2 (NIV)

Our Words Have Enormous Power

I lost a little word just the other day.

It really was a naughty word I had not meant to say.

But then it wasn’t really lost when from my lips it flew.

My little brother picked it up, and now he says it too.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

-- James 3:3-6 (NIV)

James gives three illustrations of the power of the tongue:

1. A bit in a horse's mouth

A tiny bit directs a massive horse.

Small things determine big directions.

Our conversations determine the direction of:

marriages

churches

businesses

friendships

2. A ship's rudder

A tiny rudder guides an enormous ship through fierce winds.

One conversation can redirect a family.

3. A spark

A tiny spark starts a massive forest fire.

Most church splits...

Most family feuds...

Most broken friendships...

...began with words.

Don't underestimate one conversation.

So how can we tame the tongue?

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. –James 3:7-10 (NIV)

How can we tame the tongue?  We can’t.

Have you heard the story about the man who went into the Nike shoe factory and tried on some very expensive shoes.  “How do they feel?” the salesman asked.  “They’re a bit tight,” the man admitted.  “Try pulling the tongue out,” the salesman suggested.  The customer answered, “Well, theyth sthill feelth a bith tighth!”

Unless we pull out our tongue, we will never be able to control it fully.  James says no one can tame the tongue.

So, what do we do? Let me make one suggestion:

Use your words for good, not evil; to build up, not to tear down, to encourage rather than discourage.

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. --Colossians 4:6 (NIV)

We could easily come up with examples of words from someone in our past, perhaps our childhood, words that crashed our dreams, squashed our hope  or ended our efforts.

Instead, I’d like for us to consider some words from our past that spurred us on toward love and good deeds.

Take a minute to recall something encouraging, energizing, uplifting or inspiring that altered the course of your life in a positive manner.

A friend recalled one high school teacher that told him, “Share your magic.  You are quiet, but you have a ton to offer.”  I asked if that changed him, he said, “My giorlfriend says I haven’t shut up since!”

My very firs experience at Denver Seminary was a beginning-of-the-year convocation where the president, Haddon Robinson spoke on this James 3 passage.  His message was so powerful that I didn’t utter one word for twenty-four hours.  My last experience at Denver Seminary was just as impactful for me.  It was the graduation ceremony.  As I walked across the stage to receive the diploma, Haddon Robonson was there to shake the hand of each graduate.  He grabbed my hand and stopped me.  I didn’t notice him stopping anyone else.  Then he called me by name and said, “You have blessed my life.”  I’m not sure what that meant.  I didn’t see him do that with others.  I wasn’t even sure he meant it.  But I have never forgotten it!

Have you ever said something you immediately wished you could take it back?

Or maybe even better: Have you ever not said something you immediately or later wished you could have encouraged someone by saying?

Our words are so powerful.  Let’s use them to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.