WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY?

I've written several times about words.  Words....powerful in every way.  Either the words we say, the words we hear or even those we don't say or hear - the lack of.

This week, we've seen on TV the power of words once again.  Leslie Jones, the SNL comedian has been attacked again.  And for what reason?  Did she spew hate?  Did she mistakenly hurt another by words or actions?  Did she spread gossip?  Did she ignore another human being?  No, she did nothing.  Yet through social media, words have been written.  Hateful, awful words. Words used to spread unkindness and prejudice.  

I'm studying the Gospel of John this year and the first words in this gospel is about the Word.  Right off the bat the gospel tells of the power of the Word.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him (the Word) all things were made, without him nothing was made that has been made."

Yes, the power of God's Word did and does many things.  With just His Word, God created everything, everything that was made.  With His Word, God changed water into wine (help in need).  With His Word, God raised a man from the dead (saved).  With His Word, God healed a woman with a blood disease (healed), made a lame man walk, fed 5000 with just a few loaves of bread and fish (met someones need), showed righteous anger, taught, rebuked, guided, called, so on and so on.  But one thing His Word never does, is tear down his beloved, his creation.

Yet we, as a society, often use our words so differently than our creator.  Being from the south, there is a phrase southern women use often.  "Bless her heart".  Sounds innocent enough.  Yet used in some ways can be destructive.  Example:  "Her mother died?  Oh bless her heart" (sympathy);  "Bless her heart...she is sooooo sweet! (admiration)"; "Bless her heart, her child is a challenge! (pitty)";  "Look at THAT outfit...bless her heart! (hateful)".  See, the same words, expressed in different ways can mean many things.  They can comfort, build up, console, destroy and have even started wars.

Then, there are the unspoken words.  Silence toward another can hurt or even kill relationships, hurt another's reputation, abuse and destroy.  Silence can bless when using self control, comfort when listening to someone who just needs to vent.  Silence can point another to the one who can really meet their needs.  Christ was silent before his accusers.  No words necessary, no words wasted.  His silence convicted those abusers.

Scripture tells us that our words are an overflow of what is in our hearts.  An old prayer I pray often says, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, oh Lord."  

Words can hurt, destroy, cause others to rise to an occasion or fall to an occasion.  Words can build up, console, sympathize, guide, teach, rebuke, show love, forgive and so on.  Christ's words were always to save and never to destroy.

So, what do my words or silence convey?  I am grateful for The Word's example in all He spoke when speaking, and when silent.  

So...what do you have to say?