Scripture: Proverbs 13:3; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:19
Title: Words Matter – Use Them Carefully
Theme: Using Words for Good
This sermon speaks about the power of our words and how we can use our words to bring healing and wholeness instead of destruction and damnation.
INTRO:
Grace and peace from God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
I want to talk to you today about words. In particular how we use our words in our everyday lives and how we can make those words have more positive and uplifting power.
Every day every one of us uses words. In fact, in a recent study (https://ubrp.arizona.edu/study-finds-no-difference-in-the-amount-men-and-women-talk/) it was discovered that the average person uses approximately 16,000 words a day. That is to say, we use an average of about 1,000 words per hour each day.
Now, of course some people use more words while others use fewer words. In that same study, one person discovered that on average they used only 795 words every day, while another person discovered that they used an average of 47,000 words a day. I think we would all agree that is quite a difference.
It would be natural for some people to use more words than others. A teacher for example would use more words than say the average construction worker or the average person who lives by themselves alone. A mother with young children would no doubt use more words than an engineer who is working on a project by themselves.
Studies also show that we have a lot of words from which to choose. Most languages have around 300,000 different words that people can use. Portuguese has the most with a little over 800,000 words while English has a little over 500,000 different words. There is one language that is unique in that it has only 340 words. It is called Taki Taki (also call Sranan). Taki Taki is an English-based Creole spoken by 120,000 people in the South American country of Suriname.
Of those 500,000+ plus words that we have at our disposal in the English language the average English speaking person uses less than 10% of them. In fact, while the average English speaking adult understands the meaning of over 40,000 words they only use only about 50% of them in everyday conversation.
With all of that in mind let’s take a few minutes this morning to see how we can use our words to not only enhance our lives but the lives of others. Let’s first of all examine the power of our words.
I. Words have Tremendous Power
All one has to do is to open up the Bible and you can see the power and the majesty of words; especially when they are being spoken by the Lord God Almighty –
“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light, and there was light.” – Genesis 1:1-3 (NRSV)
As you go on and read the rest of Genesis chapter one you read how everything was created and blessed by God’s words – God literally spoke everything into existence and then proclaimed a blessing over everything that He had created. All of that happened through words.
The Apostle John goes even further in the beginning of his gospel by referring to Jesus as the Word, or self-expression of God. The Word, though distinct from God is Himself also God and the One through whom the world was created. The Word is therefore the giver of life and the light of life. (see John 1:1-5)
The writer of Proverbs 18:21 testified of the power of words:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
Our speech; our words (out tongue) have power this morning. We need to understand that our words have tremendous power. Think for a moment:
+The world was created by God’s words – words that created all the beauty of the skies, the mountains and the valleys. Words created the majesty of the birds in the air, the fishes in the seas and the animals on the land. Words created the fellowship of Adam and Eve with one another and with the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. There is a great deal of good that can come out of words.
+ And there is a great deal of pain that can come out of words. Satan used words to deceive Adam and Eve. He tempted them to rebel against the LORD God Almighty. Unfortunately, they obeyed Satan’s words and as a result all mankind fell under the power and the penalty of sin. This is what happens when words are used wrongly.
+Sadly, it has been through the use of similar words that a great deal of pain has since entered into our world; all the wars, the conflicts, the brokenness of families and individuals all started with certain words being shared.
+But at the same time it has been through words that the LORD has rescued and redeemed us. While we see a lot of damage done through words when we think of certain words like peace, joy and love we don’t think of brokenness but of wholeness and healing.
When we read certain words put together we can understand the power and the healing that words can bring into our lives and into our world.
John 3:16 –English Standard Version
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 6:22-23 English Standard Version
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This morning, we need to fully understand that words are gifts that God has given us not to harm us but to help us. Words are ways that we can not only reflect His glory and honor but are ways that we can transform our world and all that is in it. Words are powerful. They can bring death that is for sure. But they can even more bring life. They can bring healing and wholeness. They can bring beauty. They can bring love and mercy. They can bring joy. They can bring peace. They can bring life.
So, what are some of the ways that we can make sure our words have healing and transforming power whether we use only 795 words a day or 47,000 words a day?
1. We fill our vocabulary reservoir with Good Words – Philippians 4:8
When the Apostle Paul was writing to the Church at Philippi he shared these words:
Philippians 4:8 - English Standard Version
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Paul knew that if peoples’ lives were going to change it would start with a change in people’s hearts, minds and souls. That is why he preached Christ. He knew that only Christ could change a person from the inside out. He also knew that one of the outcomes of that change would be displayed in their everyday use of certain words.
It would take time but through Christ, the Apostle Paul did all he could to help all his churches transform not only their lives but their vocabularies. He taught them a new language of love, joy and peace. He taught them how to use words that would lead to people’s lives being transformed. He even taught them new words to use to bring forth beauty and holiness; words like agape love, fellowship and peace.
Several years ago some of our friends had one child that spoke different than the rest of their children. They were from the north and the all but one of the children had a northern accent. There was this one child that had a southern accent.
It puzzled them how that could happen and then they remembered that during the first few years of that child’s life they were constantly playing Country Music. They filled the room where the crib was with Country Music. They filled the house with Country Music. This one child picked up not only the words but the accent of the words as well.
The same thing happens to us. We have to make sure that the words that are in our life vocabulary are words of encouragement, peace, love and joy. We have to make sure that the words that we fill our children and our grandchildren with are words that have a positive ring to them.
How many children have had to start off life with their lives filled with the words of hate filling the atmospheres of their bedrooms, their living rooms and their kitchens? How many children have had to start life off with their lives filled with the foulest of speech; filled with words that debase humanity and words that bring chaos, harm and destruction?
We must do everything we can to fill the atmosphere of our homes, our places of work and everywhere we go with words that reflect our Savior this morning.
2. We seek a Holy Spirit Filtration System
Have you ever found yourself saying something that your parents said years ago or thinking something the same way that they did while you were growing up?
Most of us have experienced this phenomenon. It should not surprise us. Our minds are like computers that store up information and then when a certain event happens our minds download a familiar word or a familiar phrase.
Growing up my father had some favorite sayings that he said when certain situations arose. Some of those favorite sayings were inappropriate to say the least. But each time I was around him and we found ourselves in a certain situation I would hear him say those phrases over and over again.
I remember being in a Church Board meeting when a similar situation arose. The first thing that came to my mind was my dad’s favorite phrases. I almost said it out loud as we were discussing a certain matter. I am sure that it would not have been received favorably.
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit put a check on my heart, mind and mouth. The thought still rang around in my mind and in the natural what my dad had said many times would have been true but not all truths need to be spoken out loud so to speak or at least not using certain words.
We all need a Holy Spirit filter in our word vocabulary tool box.
Proverbs 4:20-27
English Standard Version
20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their[a] flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder[b] the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
How many times do we just say words without taking the time to examine them for their power and influence?
How many times have we said something and realized later that we used the wrong words?
We have to encourage ourselves this morning to allow the Holy Spirit to filter our word vocabularies. If we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to filter our words the world will give us a vocabulary to use and it is not a good one.
Right now all over the world as people read social media and watch media they unconsciously are picking up the world’s vocabulary; a vocabulary that is growing more and more demeaning, harmful, divisive and vulgar.
Recently, I read about an article that appeared in the New York Times. It was entitled “Weaning Teenagers Off Gossip, for One Hour at a time”. The writer, David Lenin wrote:
“At 11:15 each morning at the Stella K. Abraham High School for Girls on Long Island, the voice of Emi Renov, a 17-year-old junior, buzzes over the intercom, gently reminding her fellow students to refrain from gossiping for the next 60 minutes. What was that? Was she kidding? Telling teenagers that they should not talk about other students behind their backs is like telling them not to try to get a driver’s license. Yet, for one hour after Ms. Renow’s announcement, her schoolmates make an honest attempt to avoid mocking one another’s outfits or whispering the latest shocking rumor.
‘We can’t expect everyone to just stop gossiping forever, even though we all know the rumors and the fights hurt,’ Ms. Renov said. The program is one small way, she added, ‘to change how we treat each other, and it really motivates us to speak with respect.’” (quoted from Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg pages 137 -138).
I think Ms. Renov’s advice is excellent in the fact that we need to allow the Holy Spirit to help us filter our language; our words. It may not happen all at once or completely ever. But little by little we can subtract any words in our useable vocabulary that are harmful, demeaning, gossiping, hurtful and/or inappropriate.
We can create our own word goals – over the next hour, next half day or day let’s commit ourselves not to say the first thing that comes into our minds especially when we are tired, upset or provoked. Let’s first take a moment to rest, to relax and then allow God’s Holy Spirit filter to work and then respond.
You see, our salvation is a free gift from the LORD. We need to rejoice in that fact. We need to be grateful each day for God’s love, grace and amazing mercy.
However, our walk of discipleship is different. It is our lifelong commitment to becoming more and more like Jesus. And if we are not going to become more Christlike, more obedient and better reflect God’s honor and glory then what are we trying to do in the first place?
3. Depend on God for the Right Words to Use
If you are like me sometimes you just don’t know what to say or how to say it. Sometimes I get into a tense situation and want to be able to say the right thing; the appropriate thing but don’t always know what correct words to use. I get into a situation and suddenly find myself back peddling because what I said was taken the wrong way. You may have experienced the same thing this morning.
What is wonderful about our relationship with the LORD is that if we will lean into Him; He promises us that He will give us what we need to say. He will give us the right words to say or to write.
Listen to some of the wonderful advice that we find in the Bible:
+We are advised to commit our words to the LORD at the beginning of each day –
"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." – Psalm 19:14 NIV
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” – Psalms 141:3
+We are advised to understand the power of our words and speak in such a way to create an atmosphere that glorifies and honors God and reflects our love for others –
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” – Proverbs 15:1
“Let a rotten saying not proceed out of your mouth, but whatever saying is good for the building up as the need may be, that it may impart what is favorable to the hearers.” – Ephesians 4:29
“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive’ so that you will have the right response for everyone.” – Colossians 4:6
+We are advised to constantly lean into the Holy Spirit
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” – Matthew 10:16-20
This morning, we live in world of words. We use words each day; words both spoken and written. Words that can bring life or bring death. Words that can bring healing or cause pain. Words that can unite or divide. Words that can bring salvation or damnation.
Over our lifetime, most of us will easily speak more than 400 million words. Think about that for a moment; 400 million words. Add to that the words that we will write and we could easily use more than 600 million words in total (that is more words than we find in the whole Bible). That is a lot of words and a lot of power.
The Apostle James understood the power of words. He understood that unless we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, to teach us and to live through us that our words will be like a fire bringing death and destruction to all those around us. He understood that even those who want to follow the LORD JESUS must be careful for we can find ourselves using words of praise to the LORD and at the same time repeating words laced with curses to those around us who were made in God’s Image.
I like the Apostle James advice in James 1:19 –
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”
This morning let’s all commit to do better with our words. Words that we say with our mouths and words that use in all of our social media accounts; emails, texts, facebook, twitter, instagram etc…
Perhaps as a final bullet point to help us remember the power of our words is to think for a moment of Zacharias words and Mary’s words in Luke chapter one. Zacharias uses his words to question God’s ability and as a result he is silenced for nine months. Mary uses her words to receive God and as a result becomes the mother of our Lord Jesus.
One used words that brought silence while the other brought words that allowed the greatest of miracles to happen – God becoming man so that we might be rescued, redeemed and restored into the image of God. That’s the power of words this morning.
According to that study we talked about earlier most of us will use around 16,000 words today, tomorrow and for the rest of our lives. Some people of course will use more while others will use less. No matter if it is 795 or 47,000 words we must be careful what words we use and how we use them. We can either be fire starters of Hell or people who know how to bring Heaven to earth through our words. We can be people that God has to silence or people who God can use to bring about supernatural miracles.
This morning, let do our best to use the right words in our speech and in our writing. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to be our filter and our guide. Let’s invite the Holy Spirit to speak through us so that we can be Christlike in our words and in our actions.
If we do that then I believe that we will create places where God’s name is honored and where people are being encouraged and lifted up. I believe if we do that we will help change our world one word at a time. I believe if we do that we will see a difference in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
This morning before we close I want to give anyone the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as Your Savior and LORD. I want to give anyone the opportunity to use your words to accept Jesus as your Savior and LORD.
Close with invitation/prayer/blessing
