The Power of Words

This morning I was reading in Proverbs 6 and I was captivated by what I read in verse 2.  "Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth..."  For someone who makes their living talking, that's a pretty scary thought!  It is critical that we realize the power of our words.  Scripture has much to say about our mouth, our lips and the words that come from them.  Here are just a few thoughts I shared with our staff this morning concerning our words.

1.  Be careful WHAT  you say. 


It is important that we understand, some things are better left unsaid.  I learned a long time ago that if it doesn't need to be said, don't say it.  We should thoughtfully and prayerfully weigh the words that we speak.  Once a word is spoken, it can never be retracted.

2.  Be careful HOW you say it. 


It is quite possible to say the right thing, but to say it in the wrong way.  Our tone of voice, facial expression and body language can cause the right words to be received in the wrong way.  I oftentimes tell preachers, "You can preach hard without being hard."  Learn to temper your words with grace.

3.  Be careful WHO you say it to.


When speaking, we should consider our audience.  If it is something that we want held in confidence, that will greatly limit the number of people to whom we will be able to speak.  If we are going to speak correctively, we should make sure that the person to whom we are speaking is within our area of judgment.

4.  Be careful WHEN you say it. 


It is possible to say the right thing, to the right person, at the wrong time.  I oftentimes warn husbands and wives about the timing of their speech.  I believe that our speech should be calculated.  Is my heart in the right condition for me to say this?  What is the spirit of the person to whom I am about to speak?  These are questions that we should consider before we open our mouths.

These are just a few thoughts concerning our speech.  Scripture tells us that the power of death and life are in the tongue.  Be mindful of how you use your words in the lives of other people.  One day you and I will give an account to God for the words that we speak.  It's a sobering thought.