The song "Words" by Hawk Nelson is a favorite of mine because it is about how powerful words are and how they affect us. Here are the lyrics:
"Words"
They've made me feel like a prisoner
They've made me feel set free
They've made me feel like a criminal
Made me feel like a king
They've lifted my heart
To places I'd never been
And they've dragged me down
Back to where I began
Words can build you up
Words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart or
Put it out
Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
You can heal the heartache
Speak over the fear
(Speak over the fear)
God, Your voice is the only thing
We need to hear
(We need to hear)
Words can build us up
Words can break us down
Start a fire in our hearts or
Put it out
Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
(Back to You)
Let the words I say
(Let the words I say)
Be the sound of Your grace
(Sound like Your grace)
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
I wanna speak Your love
Not just another noise
Oh, I wanna be Your light
I wanna be Your voice
Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
(Back to You)
Let the words I say
(Let the words I say)
Be the sound of Your grace
(Sound like Your grace)
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
(Back to You)
Words can build us up
Words can break us down
Start a fire in our hearts
Or put it out
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You
Most of us see and read thousands of words each day. We are influenced by everything we read whether we realize it or not. Are we being built up and encouraged by what we see? Or do we get distracted easily by reading what looks fun or interesting? This could also be said about what we say or write. In fact, I believe that what comes out of our mouths or the things we write are even more crucial to think about. When we are reading, we are influencing mainly ourselves, whereas, what we say is also largely influencing others. Because words are an important means of communicating with those around us, isn't it critical that we understand this and consider how our words are affecting them?
While not pointing fingers at anyone but myself, I will still say that I am sometimes surprised and disappointed at how frivolous and seemingly unnecessary many of us use our words. I will also take this opportunity to challenge you and myself to what we say; is it building others up toward love and good deeds? Are we encouraging each other to grow more in the faith? Is Christ the center of our speech? Are we building ourselves up by what we read? I am most definitely speaking to myself in these things. Am I growing closer to God? Am I absorbing His Words of Life? I have to admit, I struggle with this. Do you? Think about it.
James 3:9-10
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.
Matthew 12:35-37
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 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.
