What’s in a Word?
By Susan Klein
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.”
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
By Susan Klein
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.”
Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Growing up, did you
ever hear your mother say, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything
at all”? Wise woman! I think in our culture’s pursuit of “freedom of speech,”
we’ve let go of that old adage. Our words, depending on how we use them, can be
like a soothing balm to the soul, or as stabbingly painful as a double-edged
sword. And, like toothpaste out of a tube, once they leave our mouths they can
never be put back!
The book of Proverbs has a lot to teach us about our words. It says that when used appropriately, they can be pleasant as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bone. When aptly spoken, they are like apples of gold in settings of silver. We are also told that a gentle answer turns away wrath, and the tongue of the wise commends knowledge. However, Scripture warns that when we misuse our words, they can pierce like a sword, or stir up anger. And that the Lord detests lying lips, and the mouth of a fool gushes folly. We are also cautioned that a gossip betrays a confidence so we are to avoid one who talks too much.
James thought this was such an important topic that he devoted most of his book’s third chapter to it! He validates that none of us are perfect and that we will all stumble at some point with our words. He gives us a good analogy when he compares our tongue (or words) to a bit in a horse’s mouth and to the rudder of a ship. Though each item is small, the bit controls the whole horse and the rudder steers the whole ship. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of our body, but if used improperly, it can corrupt the whole person or set the whole course of her life on fire.
So, how are we to avoid the calamity of loose lips or stinging words? By guarding our tongues. We do this by first taking each thought captive to see if it is pure or poison, then by being slow to speak. It is generally when we speak too quickly that we get ourselves into big trouble!
Let’s put our mother’s advice to practice and use our words to build each other up, then we will bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of a situation where you used your words wrongly? How could you avoid repeating that mistake?
2. Ask God to help you be quick to listen and slow to speak.
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 34:12-14; Ecclesiastes 10:12-13; James 1:26
The book of Proverbs has a lot to teach us about our words. It says that when used appropriately, they can be pleasant as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bone. When aptly spoken, they are like apples of gold in settings of silver. We are also told that a gentle answer turns away wrath, and the tongue of the wise commends knowledge. However, Scripture warns that when we misuse our words, they can pierce like a sword, or stir up anger. And that the Lord detests lying lips, and the mouth of a fool gushes folly. We are also cautioned that a gossip betrays a confidence so we are to avoid one who talks too much.
James thought this was such an important topic that he devoted most of his book’s third chapter to it! He validates that none of us are perfect and that we will all stumble at some point with our words. He gives us a good analogy when he compares our tongue (or words) to a bit in a horse’s mouth and to the rudder of a ship. Though each item is small, the bit controls the whole horse and the rudder steers the whole ship. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of our body, but if used improperly, it can corrupt the whole person or set the whole course of her life on fire.
So, how are we to avoid the calamity of loose lips or stinging words? By guarding our tongues. We do this by first taking each thought captive to see if it is pure or poison, then by being slow to speak. It is generally when we speak too quickly that we get ourselves into big trouble!
Let’s put our mother’s advice to practice and use our words to build each other up, then we will bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father!
GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of a situation where you used your words wrongly? How could you avoid repeating that mistake?
2. Ask God to help you be quick to listen and slow to speak.
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 34:12-14; Ecclesiastes 10:12-13; James 1:26
Susan
is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible
studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council.
