The Power of Words

Introduction:

Good morning, everyone.

To quote a song from my youth, “words don’t come easy to me”! I admit to finding it difficult to find the right words sometimes, or as Pastor Bob has also admitted, just saying something because I feel the need to fill the silence.

As we reflect on the significance of Holy Cross Day, which we celebrated yesterday, let us consider how our words can be a cross – a symbol of sacrifice, redemption, and transformation – in the lives of others. Our words are more than just noise; they are windows into our souls and tools for shaping our world!

So today, we turn our attention to a topic that, though it may seem small, carries immense significance: the power of our words. Just as the Cross stands as a testament to divine purpose and transformation, our speech has the potential to shape lives, build or damage relationships, and deeply influence our spiritual journey.

St Francis de Sales wisely said, “The kindling power of our words must not come from outward show but from within, not from oratory but straight from the heart.”

Every time we speak, we reveal something about our inner selves.

My primary school teacher often reminded us to “Dink voor jy ink,” or directly translated from Afrikaans, “Think before you ink.” This simple yet profound advice encourages us to pause and reflect before we write, or speak, ensuring that our words are thoughtful and purposeful. Words spoken without consideration can lead to harm and regret, while those chosen with care and wisdom can bring healing, encouragement, and transformation.

In today’s Scripture readings, we are reminded of the importance of choosing words that reflect God’s wisdom. Our speech has the power to build up or tear down, it should reflect God’s word, and ultimately, it should glorify Christ in all we say and do.

We’ll explore these themes that follow from our readings through Proverbs, Psalm 19, James, and Mark, beginning with the call of wisdom.

1. Wisdom and the Call to Speak Life (Proverbs 1:20-23)

In Proverbs 1, we encounter Wisdom personified, calling out from the streets and public spaces, inviting us to listen and respond. Wisdom is not hidden or inaccessible; it is freely available to all who seek it. However, despite its availability, it is often ignored or dismissed. The choice is ours: will we heed Wisdom’s call and speak with intention, or will we speak carelessly, without considering the impact of our words?

The principle of “thinking before you speak” is not just a way to avoid regret. It is a call to speak with purpose and reflection, ensuring that our words align with divine wisdom rather than impulsiveness. Proverbs 1:20-23 depicts Wisdom as calling out publicly, urging people to turn from their folly and embrace understanding. This image encourages us to listen carefully to Wisdom’s call and let it shape our speech.

A thought-provoking quote by Thomas Fuller states, “Silence is wisdom when speaking is folly.”

This reminds us that sometimes the wisest course of action is to remain silent rather than speak out of turn. Our words should be measured and thoughtful, avoiding unnecessary conflict or harm. This wisdom reinforces the need to pause and reflect before we speak, allowing us to choose words that truly contribute to positive conversations and outcomes.

Seeking wisdom, as Solomon did, means aligning our words with God’s truth and love. If we are to live wisely, we must focus on wisdom not only in our actions but also in our speech. Our words reveal the state of our hearts, and to speak wisely, we must allow God to transform our hearts. This transformation ensures that our speech reflects God’s love and wisdom, rather than our own impulsive reactions.

As Jonathan mentioned in his recent sermon, God knows us fully, including our unspoken thoughts. To speak wisely, we must let God shape our hearts so that our words truly reflect His love and wisdom. The practice of pausing before we speak allows us to filter our words through the lens of divine wisdom and grace. This reflection is essential for speaking in a way that honours God and uplifts others.

2. The Beauty of God’s Word: A Model for Our Speech (Psalm 19)

Psalm 19 presents a beautiful depiction of God’s Word, describing it as perfect, trustworthy, and pure. This depiction serves as a model for how we should use our own words. God’s Word reflects His character and reveals His glory through creation and truth. Just as creation declares the greatness of God, our words should reflect His love and wisdom.

Consider how Jesus, referred to as “The Word,” used His words throughout His ministry. He spoke to heal, comfort, challenge, and reveal truth. His words were always in alignment with God’s purpose and never wasted. If we are to follow Christ’s example, our words should be filled with the same truth and grace that characterised His speech.

Psalm 19 not only highlights the beauty and purity of God’s Word but also challenges us to ensure that our own words mirror this beauty. Even simple, thoughtful words can uplift and encourage others.

As George Herbert said, “Good words are worth much and cost little.”

Our words should reflect the truth and grace embodied in God’s Word, ensuring that our speech aligns with His character.

The Psalm also emphasizes how both creation and God’s Word proclaim His greatness. Our words, too, should declare His greatness and be used to uplift and encourage others. Reflect on how the natural world, as described in Psalm 19, speaks of God’s majesty and creativity. In the same way, our words should point others towards the goodness and love of God, serving as a reflection of His divine attributes.

3. The Challenge of Taming the Tongue (James 3:1-12)

James 3 explores the challenge of controlling our speech, using powerful imagery to illustrate the tongue’s potential for both good and harm. He compares the tongue to a small fire that can set a forest ablaze or a rudder that steers a large ship. Despite its small size, the tongue has significant power and influence.

Blaise Pascal, the French philosopher and Christian apologist, captured this idea well: “Cold words freeze people, hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter.”

This insight highlights how our words can deeply affect others, often more than we realise. How often do we speak without thinking, only to discover later that our words have caused pain or division?

James’s warning is clear: while the tongue is difficult to control, it is essential for those who wish to follow Christ. We cannot use our mouths to praise God and then use the same mouths to harm others made in His image. As discussed earlier, seeking wisdom means living in accordance with God’s will, which includes managing our speech. Even though taming the tongue might seem impossible, with God’s help, we can learn to speak in ways that build up rather than tear down.

James uses vivid imagery to convey the impact of the tongue. A small spark can ignite a massive fire, just as a few careless words can cause significant harm. The challenge is not only to avoid causing harm, but to actively use our words to encourage and uplift others. We must reflect on the impact of our words and consider how they align with God’s call to love and build up others.

4. Confessing Christ: The Ultimate Use of Our Words (Mark 8:27-38)

Our final reading from Mark 8 brings us to the ultimate use of words: confessing Christ. Peter’s declaration, “You are the Christ,” is a profound confession that goes beyond mere verbal affirmation. It requires a complete transformation in how we live our lives.

Phillips Brooks, the American Episcopal bishop, once said, “A man who lives right, and is right, has more power in his silence than another has by his words.”

This quote emphasises that our verbal confession of faith should be supported by our actions. Jesus made it clear that following Him involves denying ourselves and taking up our cross.

Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ was a pivotal moment in the Gospels, representing a profound understanding and acceptance of Jesus’s identity and mission. Our words should similarly acknowledge Jesus, not just in what we say but also in how we live. It’s not enough to declare our faith with words alone; our entire lives must reflect the truth of that confession.

Jesus calls us to live a life that embodies our confession. Our daily actions should align with the truth we speak, demonstrating our commitment to following Him. The challenge is to ensure that our words and actions are consistent, reflecting the true essence of our faith.

As we consider Peter’s confession, let us also think about how our own words and actions reflect our faith. Are we living in a way that demonstrates our commitment to Christ? Are our words aligned with our beliefs, and do they reflect the truth of who Jesus is?

Conclusion:

As we wrap up today’s reflection, let’s summarise the key takeaways from our message:

First, wisdom must guide our speech. Like the call of Wisdom in Proverbs, we should pause and reflect, letting God direct our words to bring life and healing to others. This means being intentional with our speech and allowing divine wisdom to shape our words.

Second, our words should reflect the beauty of God’s Word. Psalm 19 shows us the purity and trustworthiness of God’s Word. We are called to model our speech after this, ensuring that our words reflect God’s truth and love. Our speech should be thoughtful, encouraging, and aligned with divine character.

Third, words carry immense power. As James 3 reminds us, although the tongue is small, it has a significant impact on our lives and those around us. The way we use our words can either build up or tear down, depending on how well we manage our speech with God’s help.

Finally, our words should always glorify Christ. In Mark 8, Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ demonstrates how our words can declare the truth of who Jesus is. But this confession must be more than just words; it must be reflected in how we live our lives. Our entire existence should embody the truth of our faith, aligning our words with our deeds.

As we leave today, let’s reflect on these takeaways and commit ourselves to speaking with intention and grace.

As Douglas Van Nest wisely noted:

“If we actually believed that our words have power and, as Jesus told us, reflect the inward state of our heart and character, we would be:

Silent more often. Quick to confess. Humble in our speech. Averse to slander and gossip. Generous in our praise and thanks.”

Our words are powerful tools! Let’s choose them wisely and commit ourselves to this kind of intentional, Christ-like speech. Let us commit ourselves to using our words to glorify God and to bless others.

Closing Prayer:

Let’s pray.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the gift of words and the opportunity to use them to bless others and glorify You. Help us to speak wisely, to reflect Your love and grace, and to confess Christ in everything we say. Guide us as we seek to tame our tongues and use our speech to build up, not tear down. May our words always bring honour to You.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.