What You Say...

A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"What You say..."

One day I walked into the room as one of my daughters was at the computer. I glanced down at what she was typing and was very surprised by a couple of phrases I read. When I questioned her about it, she looked at me surprised and ask why I was responding so. There was an innocent look in her eyes as she informed me, "There's nothing wrong with these words. They don't mean what you think. There is a story behind them".

After she shared the story, we discussed the fact that if others were to read what was written, they would most likely think what I thought, and they would not know the story behind her use of them either. We came to an understanding that she should change them, because they were not good for a Christian to use.

Later, I found myself pondering our discussion. The words that she had on the page were not vulgar and almost all of them have double meanings (thanks to society's improper use of them). Used in different phrases or sentences they would have been totally fine. The problem was that she wasn't really thinking about what she was saying. We all are guilty of this at times. We are so quick to use the popular new phrase; so ready to say what's on our minds; so hasty in our responses to people. Do we think about what we say and how we say it? Do we realize the importance of our words? Do we heed the Scriptural injunctions about our speech, our conversation?

The Psalmist prayed, "let the words of my mouth... be acceptable (pleasing) in Your sight, O Lord." Proverbs contains many descriptions about the effects of the tongue and one's words. The old adage, "sticks and stones my break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is false. Words can be harmful, destructive, divisive, demeaning, cruel... They can also be healing, redemptive, up building, kind, compassionate... We must never underestimate the power of words.

When Paul was giving instructions to the Ephesians about how they were to "live a life worthy of the calling" they had received, he gave some potent instruction about this very subject.

"Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully" (4:25);
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (4:29);
"Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving" (5:4).

The speech of the Christian is to be godly, truthful, constructive, compassionate, pure, wholesome, and helpful. No matter what language we speak God's directives remain the same. We really need to take the utmost care concerning what we say and how we say it, being sure that it is "pleasing in God's sight" and according to His way

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry

A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here. Return to Devotional Index