This Week #19 (1-11-04)

Important Words

Have you ever considered that some words may be more important than others? Words often engender action, thought, delight, despair, joy, pain, sorrow, and concern. We are encouraged by the Scriptures to guard our mouths (words) recognizing that those words that exit our mouths demonstrate the contents of our hearts. (Matthew 15:18)
 

We would be wise to listen to others as they speak, but we must never forget to listen to ourselves as we speak. It really is not all that difficult to listen, but is often difficult to hear.
 

We justify our words based on a plethora of ideas, feelings, attitudes and thoughts. As the words come tumbling out we fail to recognize the impact they have on the minds, hearts, attitudes and lives of those who are subjected to them. We hear them (if at all) in the light of our emotional state without much regard for others who must endure our words without the benefit of understanding what the source may be.
 

Does that mean we can never say what we think? Can we never speak what we feel? Are we limited to pleasantries and paltry platitudes to define the parameters of our speech? No. But we must begin to consider the hearer. We must learn to speak so that misinterpretation and misunderstanding are never the result of our conversation.
 

Our words can be a sword, a fire, a branding iron, a cutting, dismantling force that wreaks havoc in the lives of those around us and “comes home” to leave us with the disheartenment of having hurt the ones we should llove most.
The wisdom of the ages tells us to think. Think about what we say. Better yet, think about what we are about to say. Is it good, wholesome, encouraging, edifying? Will the hearers (us and them) be pleased with the results of the words action?
 

We do not plead for silence, but for rational, lloving thought. That is the manner in which God’s people build their relationships.

© Weaver 2003