The Power Of Words
James 3:3-10 "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though [they be] so great, and [are] driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.'
The raging bush fires that destroy life, limb, and property in the Australian bush are notorious for their ferocity and destructive power. When the flames start to top the dry, resinous gum trees, they may race along with tremendous explosive fury at speeds up to eighty kilometres an hour. The flames furiously fly through the tree tops; consuming the homes and dreams of hapless victims and the lives of brave fire fighters and others unable to escape their swift destruction. There is no stopping or diverting the sure disaster in store for anyone or anything caught in the path of these terrible flames.
It seems a paradox that these awesome fires that sometimes cover thousands of square kilometres, are often started by a tiny spark or a single careless match. A criminal arsonist, pyromaniac or careless person, can initiate terrible and boundless destruction. Anyone seeing the graphic result of such deliberate crime or carelessness does not wonder at the severe penalties imposed for violation of fire bans during bush fire season.
But according to God's Word there is a tiny entity that is even more potentially destructive than a match or spark during bush fire season. The uncontrolled tongue can spark a human conflagration that can rage for days, months, or even years; out of control, destroying individuals, families, churches, or even nations. Wars are not only sometimes fought with words, but many wars have been fought over a few careless and thoughtless words.
We should always remember that the tongue has the potential to light a fire that cannot be put out and cause destruction that cannot be reversed. The story is told of a particular woman who was known as a notorious gossip. After hearing her pastor preach on the subject of the destructiveness caused by an uncontrolled tongue, she went to him in what appeared to be sincere repentance and contrition. Confessing her problem, she asked him what she could do to reverse the hurt caused by the gossip and the malicious words uttered by her unbridled tongue. He told her to go home and get a feather pillow from her bed; then go to the highest hill in the town on a windy day and rip the pillow cover open and throw the feathers into the wind. Then to go all over town and gather the feathers and stuff them back into the pillow. "But," she said, "I can never get them all back!" The preacher replied, ‘That’s the point,
Hurtful words carelessly spoken can never be retrieved, not matter how one might regret them.!
The need to tame this potentially dangerous and destructive organ is all too obvious. And it can be tamed and controlled. Correct and judicious pressure brought to bear by a tiny, slim bit in the mouth of the wildest horse can bring the beast under control. In our day, gigantic ships, hundreds of metres long, weighing thousands of tons, ply the ocean trade routes; steered by the touch of a master's fingers on a small control panel. Great planes wing their way through the stratosphere steered by a skilled pilot's sensitive touch. The Holy Spirit sensitively touching the heart and life of a believer can bring into captivity the terrible destructive power of the human tongue and harness its potential for good.
One of my greatest regrets as a parent whose children long ago went their own way in the world, is that because of my traditional upbringing, I seemed to view my role as a parent more as a stern disciplinarian and discourager rather than a loving and engaged encourager. Many of my generation tended to see ourselves as only policemen rather than encouragers. We were somewhat ignorant of the importance of constantly speaking words of real encouragement to our children along the way. We had none of the good Christian books and helps on the subject that are available today. If I could only go back I would focus more on the strengths and positive abilities of my children and speak many timely words of encouragement, I would willingly and enthusiastically do so.
\But the potential of our tongue is not all negative. Words can not only tear down, they can also build up. God has given every child of His a special ministry of encouragement. Through the teaching of the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, our tongue can be used to heal rather than hurt, help rather than hinder and to bring hope rather than harm. The following verse gives both sides of the matter.
Only A Word
Only a word of anger, but it wounded one sensitive heart; Only a word of sharp reproach, but it made the teardrops start, Only a hasty, thoughtless word, sarcastic and unkind,
But it darkened the day before so bright, and left a sting behind. Only a word of kindness, but it lightened one heart of its grief; Only a word of gentle cheer, but it flooded with radiant light,
The pathway that seemed so dark before, and it made the day more bright."
As we consider the power of words, let us first consider that WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO HURT AND HARM. Is James exaggerating when he compares the sins of the tongue to the sins of the whole body? It would not appear to be so. Hateful words often find their full fruition in hurtful action. The destructive potential and magnitude of hurtful and harmful words cannot be overstated. When I was a lad growing up during World War II there was a slogan that said, "A slip of the lip may sink a ship." Careless words may not only sink ships, but they can wreck lives and destroy relationships. Someone speaks a careless word and then becomes involved in a fuss or a fight as a result. The little member has brought the whole body into a position of conflict and danger. The simple word spoken in haste can spark an emotional fire that can that can be fueled by conflict and strife until it quickly and easily flames out of control; consuming and destroying a treasured relationship.
The wise man anticipated this when he said, "Where no wood is, [there] the fire goeth out: so where [there is] no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. [As] coals [are] to burning coals, and wood to fire; so [is] a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Prov. 26:20-21)
The potential of such a conflagration could be compared to what happened in Chicago on October 8, 1871 At 8:30 that evening a cow reportedly stared a small fire by kicking over an oil lantern in a Mrs. O'Leary's barn. From that small beginning the fire spread and ultimately 17,500 buildings were destroyed, over 100,000 people were made homeless, more than 300 died and the cost would be estimated in billions of dollars in today's money.
There could be nothing further from the truth than the old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me." Words have the power to cause immeasurable harm and hurt. Those who work to bring help and healing to those who are hurting emotionally will tell you of the lasting psychological damage commonly caused when careless and cruel words were used as the primary weapons of war in an abusive relationship.
The story of the long term damage done to a child growing up in an atmosphere of constant, caustic and demeaning criticism is common in the counselling rooms of our culture. Parents who have told a child again and again that he or she is without talent or ability and is incapable of success, will often live to experience the heartbreak of that self-fulfilling prophecy. Just as the analogy of the fire indicates, it does not have to begin as a large flaming fire, but sometimes it may be the small spark of a word or two wrongly spoken at a critical time of passage in ones life that will do utmost damage. I am sure the words of Peter would appropriately speak to this outcome. "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:" (I Pet. 3:10)
The following is from an article entitled, "Small Moments That Can Last A Lifetime," found in an issue of the "Reader's Digest." "Are you too stupid to do anything right?' These words, spoken to a little boy who was evidently her son, were said because he had walked away from her. And they were said at a volume high enough that all the strangers in the vicinity could hear. Chastised, the boy returned quietly to the woman's side, his eyes downcast. Not a big moment perhaps. Yet small moments sometimes last a very long time. And a few words, though they may mean little at the time to the people who say them, can have enormous power. Words like that can hurt and echo down through life."
Words certainly have the power to hurt and harm in the marital relationship. The role and power of hurtful words in the "battle of the sexes" is commonly assumed and accepted. The "he (or she) said, and I said," dialogue is the one most commonly reported to counsellors. Stopping the escalation of verbal exchanges and abuse often becomes the first essential task of a counsellor. Until the hurt and harm of such exchanges are reversed and minimized, no further help or hope for the healing of the relationship will be possible.
Good and positive communication is needed in a marriage in order to protect against and minimize the damage that can be caused by hurtful words. Poor communication is one of the most common complaints of wives. Lack of communication is one of the most often noted reasons for the breakdown of relationships within marriage. The following illustrates the difficulties involved in keeping necessary lines of communication open in a relationship.
A young wive went to see a lawyer about a divorce. The lawyer asked, "Do you have any grounds for this divorce?" "Yes, two acres," she replied. "No, you must have misunderstood, what I mean is do you have a grudge?" he said. "We don't have a garage, but we do have a carport," she responded. Becoming very frustrated, the lawyer just took a wild stab in the dark and said, "Well, does he beat you up?" "Oh no! I get up before he does every morning!" At this point the lawyer threw up his hands in despair and said, "Well, just what is the problem?" "I don't really know," she said, "We just can't seem to communicate.'
When we think of taming the tongue we should not only consider the harm harsh and hurtful words may cause, but the encouragement healing and helpful words can give. An old song sums it up beautifully. It went something like this, "Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative and don't mess with Mr. In Between."
The Biblical correctness of this practical philosophy is all too clear. Paul placed it powerfully when he said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4:8) If our thought patterns are positive we can be sure our words and speech patterns will powerfully impact those around us for good. After all, didn't our Savior say that we are defined by what we think in our hearts? He also said we inevitably speak out of the abundance of heart as well.
Now let us focus primarily on the positive power of the tongue. Let us think of how we can use our thoughts and our words to build up rather than tear down, bless rather than burden those around us.
WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO AND EDIFY AND EMBOLDEN. In fact, Paul tells us that edification should be a primary purpose of the Christian's words. "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Eph. 5:29) Our English word edify comes from a Greek noun that denotes the act of building or constructing an edifice. The practical spiritual application in our relationships is evident. Words have the power to build up and help others in their spiritual growth. God through His Spirit can use our words of edification to strengthen and expand the spiritual lives of others.
If there has ever been a time in history when edification is needed among God's people, this is that time. We live in the midst of a culture and a world that seems increasingly dedicated to the proposition of tearing down the edifice of Christian morality and destroying the few small remaining pockets of Christian committal and life-style in our nation. Increasing attacks and ridicule of Christians and Christianity by our popular press and media seem to have resulted in the near destruction of any Christian witness in our culture. The following facts published in a recent study confirm this: "Aussie Statistics - Last year, 51,300 couples divorced. A jump of 29% on 10 years ago. Fathers spend an average of 15 minutes a day with their children. Church attendance rates have dropped more than 40% since the 1950's! In 1945 50% of children attended Sunday School. In 1995 2.5% of children attended Sunday School. In 1997 as little as 1.5% of Australian children attended Sunday School!"
The need for edification and building again the walls of morality and decency is all too obvious. We who are committed to Him should become increasingly committed to the task of enlightening each other about the great need we have for revival and renewal in our church and in our land. We should give ourselves to the great task of building each other up in the Lord. Our words and deeds should be daily dedicated to this great duty.
Just how can we place such theory into practice in our everyday lives? We should never underestimate he importance and power of simple words in edifying and building up others. I read of a girl who had tried various ways of suicide three times. A Christian friend who was close to her asked her parents what he could do to help her. He said, "I will do anything, no matter how much it costs. She's worth it." Those three words, "She's worth it," totally transformed her life. She saw her worth to God and to another person for the first time. She no longer wanted to die. She was valued. She had something to offer to others, herself.
WORDS HAVE THE TO POWER TO ENCOURAGE AND ENABLE. Perhaps one of the greatest ministries in the world is the ministry of encouragement and the Word of God tells us that every Christian is called to it. In these dark days before the return of our Lord and Savior, all of God's people need regular and consistent encouragement. I have not noted any exceptions to this rule. Perhaps this is the reason that the primary scripture in the New Testament teaching this concept and urging God's people toward it focuses upon the weekly coming together of God's people with their Savior.
We know He has promised to be with us and encourage us when we assemble in His Name. (Matt. 18:20) It is our task to faithfully respond to His invitation to seek His encouraging presence and to ensure that all His people participate. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Heb. 10:22-25)
I have often said that the world and even many of God's people take the wrong view of why we gather together to seek the Lord's blessings. We all know that the primary purpose is to praise and worship our Savior. But beyond that, some seem to sincerely feel that we come together to piously display our religiosity. That our arrival at the House of God is a statement that we have arrived spiritual. Some even tend to look down their long pious noses at those who they feel have not achieved such an exalted spiritual status. At least that is the way the world seems to view it and I'm afraid that they often have a fair basis for their assessment.
The truth of the matter is just the opposite. Our gathering together is a clear and graphic statement of our constant need of intimate fellowship with Christ and each other. It is a confession that we have been bruised and battered in the world in which we live and we desperately need real help and healing for the harm and hurt that has been inflicted upon us during the week. It is an admission that this can only come through Christ and the ministry of encouragement that only our brothers and sisters can lovingly bring to us.
In this primary passage about the ministry of encouragement a number of things are quite obvious. In order to minister and be ministered unto we must first draw near to God. The writer repeats here what he has already told us in Hebrews Chapter Four. We can approach the throne room and come into His presence with a great boldness that is based upon our confidence in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, our cleansing from sin and possession of His righteousness. As someone has said, we do not need to tiptoe into His presence as if we are walking on eggshells but can stride boldly down the crimson carpet our Savior laid down for us at the cross.
We are also told we are to hold fast to the hope we have in Christ. If we are to participate in the ministry of encouragement, we must have a clear, constant and compassionate confession of faith in Christ. Not only in the first instance, but every day of our life as we walk our weary way through this wicked world of woe. This confession is based upon the Word of God which never changes and upon Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Then we are called to consider how to inspire, stimulate and encourage our brothers and sisters to love and good works. As we gather together we are to consider how we can live Christ-like lives and encourage and embolden others to do the same. If we are to fulfill this ministry of encouragement, we must avoid one obvious pitfall at all costs. We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. It is clear that forsaking the assembly and the ministry of encouragement are diametrically opposed.
The Greek word for encouragement indicates very close involvement in the life of others. It derives from two words, para (alongside) and kaleo (to call). It is clear that those who are called to the ministry of encouragement are called to walk alongside their brothers and sisters. It is significant when our Savior told us that He would send the Holy Spirit to walk alongside us and help, guide and encourage us in our walk with Him, He used a form of the same word (paraclete) (See John 14:26, 16:7) There is no ministry that yokes us more closely with Christ nor links us more intimately with the work of the Holy Spirit than the ministry of encouragement. Through our encouragement of others we are sharing this uplifting ministry of the Holy Spirit.
An encourager of necessity then becomes one who walks alongside us and helps us along the road of our daily walk with Christ. Just how can this help be most effectively given? It may be good to note that our English word for encourage comes from an Old French word that means "to put courage into - to embolden." A dictionary says it means "to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope: to hearten, to spur on, to stimulate etc." How can an encourager affirm others
in this manner? Sometimes God can use just a smile, a touch or a listening ear or a few simple words to lift, inspire and encourage those around us. God had the wise man to pen this principle in a beautiful poetic thought that should be heeded by those who wish to be God's encouragers. "A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver." ({Prov. 25:11)
The article previously referred to entitled, "Small Moments That Can Last A Lifetime," is the story of a shy young student who evidently lacked confidence and a good self image. The simple words, "This is good writing," written in margin of a graded and returned composition, became his inspiration to go on and become a successful writer. Those few simple words fitly spoken at the right moment became the impetus that moved and motivated him through his entire life.
WORDS HAVE THE POWER TO ENLIGHTEN AND ENLIVEN. That words generally are mightier than the sword is an inarguable and historically demonstrable proposition. Unlike military power, the power of the pen relates more to quality than quantity. Powerful ideas placed upon paper in short pithy phrases are the stuff great historical events are made of. Catchy cliches' contained in incisive insights, are the crucial instruments of information used by visionaries in the crucible of crisis to achieve historical, earth-shattering, revolutionary and radical changes.
It was not the ninety-five theses nailed to the Wittenburg Castle gate, but Luther's short and simple quotation from the Word or God, "The just shall live by faith," that gave the necessary slogan and impetus for the Reformation.
It was not a lengthy philosophical dissertation of Paine nor the founding fathers of the American Republic that made the real difference. But a simple cry, "Give me liberty or give me death," by a man of the earth, Patrick Henry, in the Virginia House of Burgesses, became the spark lighting the fire of the American Revolution. These simple words were the battle cry that fanned its all-consuming flames until victory was won and independence was achieved.
The lengthy and laborious phrases of the main speaker at the dedication of the battlefield of Gettysburg, have been long forgotten. But the sincere, simple sayings an Illinois back-woodsman, scribbled on the back of an envelope in a train carriage, galvanized a people. His short and moving speech lives on as one of the great classics of literary history.
But the most significant and revolutionary words of all are the simple words of the simple gospel of Christ. The real power of these words has its source in the powerful God of this universe. In contrast with many words that have changed people and the course of history, these simple words are powerful because they contain and capture ultimate Truth.
The power entailed in these few simple words is an ultimate mystery to historian and philosopher alike. They are foolish to the pseudo-intellectual. They are illogical to the studied logician. They are unreasonable to the worldly prudent and wise. They are weak to the mighty and self-sufficient. After all, who were those simple folk who with a few simple words turned the Roman world upside down? How could a simple Galilean speak words that would change the calenders, coins and conditions of civilizations?
But much more than this, how could such life-changing simple words, also change the eternal souls and destiny of men? But to those the world sees as foolish these simple words are words of wisdom. To the dying, they are words of life. To those who will admit their weaknesses and insecurities, they are words of safety and security. To the lost, they are the power of God unto salvation!
In the world of sin and darkness in which man dwells today, the power that resides in these few simple words is so desperately needed. We who have been saved by the grace of God know very well the sin shattering power of those few simple words. We have heard the good news of the powerful gospel of Christ, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Ro. 1:16)
The simple words of the gospel have more power than all the dynamos in the universe.
The infinite and awesome power of those words that will cut a man off forever from the terrible power and wages of sin and powerfully place him in the position of an eternally beloved child of God who is accepted in the beloved, is beyond the understanding and grasp of the finite mind of man. " For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4:12)
Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. He also asserts that the simple words of the gospel most be received and believed in the very heart of man before they will work the powerful work of eternal redemption and salvation. Who could put it in words that are simpler or more powerful than these few words, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. . . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Ro. 10:9, 13)
These are the words that have the power to ENLIGHTEN AND ENLIVEN the lost sinner. The light of the glorious gospel shining into the heart of a lost sinner can make him eternally dead to trespasses and sins and forever alive unto God! These are the words of reconcilliation the Lord has entrusted to us as His ambassadors on planet earth.
