words
November 5, 2012
I really like the use of words. I like people who can speak clearly, tactfully, and logically. I like writers who can carry along their readers in impeccable logic & end at an insight that is often overlooked. Words are important to me. When I want to say something serious, I often have to think about it for awhile to make sure it comes out the way I want it to with the reaction/response I want. I see words as being very powerful - they can elicit the response and reaction that you need. Charismatic speakers can get a crowd to believe in something they wouldn't have previously believed (think Hitler). Charismatic leaders can mobilize a group into action. It's amazing. But on the negative side, words can be used as weapons - with the very intention to hurt & inflict pain in the exact way one wants to. Words can be used to bring people down, to discourage them, and to make them feel worthless. Words are important and to know how to use them for good, for God's kingdom & glory is an excellent endeavor. Churchill once said "Words are the only things that last forever." With that in mind, is it not important to think about the effect of our words &conversations? To consider the impression it leaves on others?
What if we approach each thought we were about to say with the above guidelines? "Is this godless chatter? Is this meaningless? Is this obscenity? Is this foolish talk? Is this coarse joking? Is this unwholesome? Is this glorifying to God? Will this spur my neighbor on in his walk with Christ?" We may realize how little substance our conversations often hold, and how very sad that is when words can be such a powerful instrument in bringing others to Christ. Often, the impression we leave on others is by our words. Your classmates, coworkers, friends, and family members - can they by your words & conversations with them see that you are a disciple of Christ? Or do our conversations with others look like everyone else's conversations in the jokes & topics we choose to talk about? Do our words serve as a testimony to the redemptive work of Christ in our lives?
A lot of times, conversations are left in the abstract realm - "we should genuinely repent", "we should watch our words", "we should grow to be more Christlike in every situation". Let's move beyond that and actually, with the help of and empowerment by the Holy Spirit within us, act on what we know to be true. Otherwise, it may be true to say of us:
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. (Titus 1:16)
I really like the use of words. I like people who can speak clearly, tactfully, and logically. I like writers who can carry along their readers in impeccable logic & end at an insight that is often overlooked. Words are important to me. When I want to say something serious, I often have to think about it for awhile to make sure it comes out the way I want it to with the reaction/response I want. I see words as being very powerful - they can elicit the response and reaction that you need. Charismatic speakers can get a crowd to believe in something they wouldn't have previously believed (think Hitler). Charismatic leaders can mobilize a group into action. It's amazing. But on the negative side, words can be used as weapons - with the very intention to hurt & inflict pain in the exact way one wants to. Words can be used to bring people down, to discourage them, and to make them feel worthless. Words are important and to know how to use them for good, for God's kingdom & glory is an excellent endeavor. Churchill once said "Words are the only things that last forever." With that in mind, is it not important to think about the effect of our words &conversations? To consider the impression it leaves on others?
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (2 Timothy 2:16)The Bible has much to say on what our speech & words should look like. We read this & we know it but we don't actually know it because it has no effect on how we approach our words. Does the person who 'knows' how gravity works but jumps off a cliff anyway really know that gravity works? We are like those who are 'always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth' (2 Timothy 2:7) because we leave it in our head, and it matters not to our lives. We often get more caught up in knowing more theology, in knowing more Biblical facts when what we really need is to just carry into action what we already know.
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:23)
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales: rather, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:7)
For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk... (Titus 1:10a)
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (Eph 5:4)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Eph 4:29)
What if we approach each thought we were about to say with the above guidelines? "Is this godless chatter? Is this meaningless? Is this obscenity? Is this foolish talk? Is this coarse joking? Is this unwholesome? Is this glorifying to God? Will this spur my neighbor on in his walk with Christ?" We may realize how little substance our conversations often hold, and how very sad that is when words can be such a powerful instrument in bringing others to Christ. Often, the impression we leave on others is by our words. Your classmates, coworkers, friends, and family members - can they by your words & conversations with them see that you are a disciple of Christ? Or do our conversations with others look like everyone else's conversations in the jokes & topics we choose to talk about? Do our words serve as a testimony to the redemptive work of Christ in our lives?
A lot of times, conversations are left in the abstract realm - "we should genuinely repent", "we should watch our words", "we should grow to be more Christlike in every situation". Let's move beyond that and actually, with the help of and empowerment by the Holy Spirit within us, act on what we know to be true. Otherwise, it may be true to say of us:
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. (Titus 1:16)
Comments
Post a Comment