A Penny for Your Thoughts, A Dollar for Your Words

A Penny for Your Thoughts, A Dollar for Your Words
John R. Petrilli

Words. Our world is chock full of them. They fill the air waves, flow from our televisions, radiate from our radios, scream from our stereos, blast from our ipods, clutter our computer screens, and inundate the internet. Usually we go through our day and week not giving a whole lot of thought to our words. We just sort of let them fly whither so ever they will. While we might underplay or underestimate the significance of our words, God has a very different take on them. In fact, He has a whole lot to say about the words we speak. We do well to contemplate what God has to say about our words and how we should use them.

GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE SOURCE OF YOUR WORDS. Luke 6:45

Words don’t just happen. They are born in the deepest recesses of the human heart. Jesus says that a good and pure heart gives birth to healthful, helpful, productive words, while a bad, sinful heart gives rise to destructive, words that produce rotten fruit. Long before we say a word, it is formed inside our mind and heart. Our speech only reveals those ideas and attitudes that we already possess in our heart. Verbalization just brings those inner musings into public view. This is why we need to keep such a close watch over our hearts, for this is where it all begins, whether it be good or evil (Pro. 4:23)

GRASP THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF YOUR WORDS. Pro. 18:21 ; Pro. 15:1 ; James 3:5-10 Eph. 4:29-30

When we talk of life and death, we often think of those things that have the power to save life (like gifted surgeons) or take it away (like deadly weapons). But it may come as a surprise that we all carry a concealed weapon, our words. Within the words we speak lies the power to enliven or deaden someone else. The right words can revive someone who desperately needs encouragement. The wrong words can suck the emotional life out of a victim. With our words we either empower others or seriously disable their sensitive spirit. We may not be strong enough to disarm someone armed with a lethal weapon, but a soft word has the power to disarm the anger that is driving them to use that weapon in the first place (Pro. 15:1). James likens our tongue to a bit that determines a horse’s direction, or a ship’s rudder, something that can be steered in different directions to chart a specific course (James 3:3-4). James likens the tremendous, explosive and destructive potential of our words to a tiny kindling spark that can set ablaze an entire forest fire (James 3:5-6). Again he compares our words to the deadly venom of a poisonous snake (James 3:8). James shows us how fickle we can be with the use of our words, one moment singing God’s praises, then calling down curses upon a fellow human being made in the very image of the same God we just blessed! (James 3:9-10). We’re responsible for the direction our speech takes. Paul shows us the way to be responsible with our words by capping negative comments and replacing them with words that will uplift those around us (Eph. 4:29).

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE QUALITY OF YOUR WORDS. Pro. 16:24 ; Pro. 19:14

Talk is cheap, this is true. So much of what passes off as conversation is nothing more than mere blabbering. Some years ago those in the field of network news were given the nickname, “talking heads”. The idea was that they just rambled on and on about inconsequential things in such an inconclusive and unsubstantial manner. We don’t ever want to be seen in such a light. As God’s children we need to insure that our words have the substance and influence commensurate with our high calling. The old adage is a good one, “If you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t say it!” How many arguments, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings could be avoided if we just steered clear of words that are divisive and insensitive to those we interact with. The Bible speaks to the nature of our communication, explaining that it should be characterized by truthfulness and transparency (Eph. 4:25), always motivate by genuine love (Eph. 4:15). It knows nothing of “politically correct speech”, but certainly cautions us to carefully consider our words before we speak them, for once spoken, they can never, ever be retrieved.

EXERCISE ECONOMY IN THE USE OF YOUR WORDS. Pro. 10:19 ; Eccl. 5:2

Sometimes we mistake verbosity for intelligence. It’s not. Economy of words is not only appreciated by the hearer, it’s highly recommended by God. Failure to exercise self-restraint actually leads one down the pathway to sin (Pro. 10:19). That’s because our hearts are sinful, and given enough time and space, we’ll eventually come up with something offensive or inappropriate. The writer of Proverbs reminds us that when we speak, we do so in the very presence of God (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Such awareness should serve to help us limit our words to only what needs to be said. This doesn’t mean we should stifle spontaneity or enthusiasm; just that we should guard against undue use of excessive speech. Usually what takes a paragraph to say can be summed up in a few phrases. Besides, if we’re speaking all the time, it doesn’t give the other party any opportunity to express their ideas. Economy of words lends itself to healthy interchange of ideas and feelings.

BE SELECTIVE IN THE CHOICE OF YOUR WORDS. Pro. 15:28 ; Pro. 15:23 ; Pro. 25:11

While we are free in the Lord to speak our mind, we should do so only after careful forethought. The book of Proverbs strongly advises us to carefully weigh our words before we speak them (Pro. 15:28). We should think ahead of how what we are about to say might be taken or even mistaken. We need to consider the timing of what we say (Pro. 15:23), as the right thing said at the wrong time is always counterproductive. Like a skillful chef, we should select words that will spice up the conversation with the grace of God (Col. 4:6). The same thing can be said in a variety of ways. With a bit of forethought, we can come up with wiser ways to say what we have to say, and to accomplish the maximum impact we desire. The manner in which we share our thoughts and concern makes all the difference. Consideration of where the other person is at, and how they are wired will go a long, long way toward facilitating effective communication.

BE EVER MINDFUL THAT YOU’RE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR WORDS. Mt. 12:36-37 (32)

We often think about giving an account to God for the sins we’ve committed. But how often do we extend that consideration down to the nitty-gritty world of our words? Jesus says something quite stunning here. That every single word we carelessly utter is permanently recorded up in heaven. That sounds scary when you think about it. But it really gets across the reality that, in the end, we are completely accountable for what we say. Paul says that God will judge our unspoken as well as our spoken thoughts (Rom. 2:16). With this in mind, we really need to set a watch over our lips, much like the Psalmist did (Psa. 19:14). As we evaluate our patterns of speech God will guide us into the habits that are the most pleasing in His sight and elevate the quality of life for everyone around us.