My husband, Doug, has never forgotten a sermon he heard many years ago. In fact, he still frequently makes reference to it. Its title was, “Words Matter.” The illustration he’s found so memorable came in the form of a question, “Husbands, which statement do you think your wives would rather hear: ‘You have timeless beauty!’…or…’You have a face that would stop a clock!’? Don’t both statements say the same thing?”
This illustration is a powerful reminder that our words do indeed matter. The old childhood phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me!” is a bold-faced lie. WHAT we say matters. HOW we say it matters. WHEN and WHERE we say it matters.
Over and over, THE WORD that guides our lives has something to say about our words. In the Old Testament wisdom book of Proverbs alone, we find verse after verse:
Proverbs 12: 18 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 15: 1,2, 4 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly… The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
Proverbs 16: 24 “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 21: 23 “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
Proverbs 18: 21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Then Jesus said in Matthew 12: 36,37: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
As representatives of Jesus and bearers of His gospel, how can we not take care with our words and make them count for God’ kingdom and glory? May Psalm 19: 14 and 141: 3 be our earnest prayer: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer… Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” I want all my words to honor You and draw people ever closer to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the Author: Tammy Scheller joyfully serves as a pastor at Enon GB Church in Princeton, Indiana. She loves being a “Nana” to her own and others she’s adopted as grandkids. She enjoys reading and camping with her husband, Doug.