January 31st
January 31
Words have power, more power than we like to think. Words are weapons. Think about it, we pray in Jesus’ name and that puts angels to flight fighting a battle. Prayer is a powerful weapon. But words are also powerful tools that can be used for good or bad with our fellow humans. We often forget that God created the world by His words. He spoke everything into existence. In western civilizations we don’t recognize the power of words the way the ancient civilizations did or even some other civilizations today.
Back in the day, in Jewish culture (maybe even today, I’m not sure) a parent could disown a child simply by stating, “I have no son” (or daughter, etc.) Then they would go through shiva (a mourning ritual) as if the child had died. That seems harsh but there are plenty of examples like that in the bible that talk about how serious we should be about the words we speak. Jesus spoke some hard truths about our words.
Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
(Raca is an Aramaic term of contempt or scorn.)
Matthew 12:33-37 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 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.”
James talks about watching our tongue as well.
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.
Just as we use our words to fight battles in prayer and to hurt other people, we also have the ability to use our words to give life. We can speak healing to others, we can encourage and build them up, and we can help guide them back to or keep them on the path following Christ.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
This year let’s be more careful about our words. Let’s make it a point to build each other up and encourage each other to be strong and hang in there.
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Let’s make it a point to use our words for God’s glory!
Jesus, forgive me for being loose with my words. Help me to use my tongue for your glory and to speak life and healing to others instead of hurt and death. Thank you that you are the Word, help me to receive your living word so that I may offer your living word to others. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit to remind us of your Word of life. Help me, create a clean heart in me so that life giving words can flow from it. Thank you that I have that hope in you Jesus.