For many reasons that I can see, and probably for some that I can't see yet, the Lord has me in a season of pondering the power of words. From the beginning of this process-the seeking and learning and applying of truth-I have been very convicted about my lack of understanding of the power of words and about my personal use (or misuse) of them.
This theme is woven throughout scripture from the very beginning. God spoke creation into existence. He very clearly called His Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh come to dwell among us. His very Word is the source of our life and light and hope. It is also the source of our conviction and an avenue for change. He speaks through the pages of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Yet we so often want to ignore that "ALL scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God can be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) We want to leave off the rebuking and correcting parts because they are uncomfortable. They convict us. They stretch us. They bring us to a place of decision that requires action, change, repentance.
God throughout all of scripture uses harsher words for His people, and for those who claim His name, than He does for anyone else. Jesus in the flesh did the same. This is because the expectation and standard for us is higher. We are His representatives. Yet, rather than use our words in a holy, God-honoring way, we too often use them to "praise our Lord and Father, and curse human beings who are made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praising and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be." (James 3:9-10)
God's expectations for us are that we would speak and tell of His righteousness, that those with whom we have influence would know His character, His goodness, His love, His righteous judgement, His anger and wrath balanced with His grace, His mercy, His sacrifice, His forgiveness, His hope. Our words are supposed to point people to Him. Our story, the one we speak, should be so focused on Him and what He has done in us and for us-not only when we came to the point of salvation, but the cleansing and ridding us of sin and making us more like Him through the sanctification process-that anyone who hears us speak cannot help but be drawn to Him.
Most of us do fairly well holding our tongues when we are face to face with people, at least most of the time. Yet behind people's back, or in groups of like-minded individuals, we let our words of judgement and condemnation fly. And in this age of electronic communication where we can hide behind a computer screen or smart phone, we have become even more lax and careless in our use of words. Our communication, and therefore our thoughts have exacerbated the idea of "us" against "them". I do believe it is in that order, too. The more words and pictures that we see in electronic communication that feed this idea, the more we think like that, and the cycle feeds itself.
As Paul told Timothy in preparing him for ministry, "Preach the Word. Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:2-3) It's easy to read things like that and think of all the other people it applies to. Those unbelievers. "Them." Never "Us." But when we look honestly at what we want, what we seek out, we find ourselves looking for nice, pithy sound bites that build us up and make us feel good about ourselves. At the same time, what we spew out are words of condemnation, words that make other people sound and feel stupid, out of a desire to prove that "we" are right and "they" are wrong. We want the good. We give the bad. In the process we turn away the very ones who need Him the most. And often this is because we are blind to the fact that WE need Him just as much. Because we can't do this, we can't represent Him, without His grace and mercy and power every day.
Yes, there is a time and a place to stand against sin. But there is also a WAY to do that. Cutting down others, giving them the impression that they are unforgivable, is never the way to do that. The best way we can stand against sin is to stand FOR the Lord. To tell of His unfailing love and His forgiveness that is freely offered to all. To speak out of a transformed life with a transformed tongue of the life change and hope that is available through a relationship with Him. God used humor, harsh words, loving words, and even sarcasm at times to make a point. All of those things are good, but we need to use them in a way that honors and points people to Him, not pushing them away. There is great power in the Word and in our words. And when His words become our words, we get the amazing privilege of watching them change the hearts and lives of people. Including us.
