What Are Words For - When No One Listens Anymore

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels…” (1 Corinthians 13:1a) would my words inherently be a reproach, offensive, vulgar, obscene, profane, or a curse? Of course not, words are vehicles to convey thoughts, ideas and emotions, if I were to change the words to a language you did not understand, the words would then become meaningless. “...I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.…” (1 Corinthians 13:1b) So it is not just the word that is critical, it is properly conveying the meaning, intent and emotion that is paramount. “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:8) Isn’t that why the Holy Spirit speaks through us when we pray, to strip away the words that hinder and let our heart speak directly to God? “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.) (Romans 8:26) So any blessing, or curse does not come from us, but from God, who tells us, “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse! You will be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. But you will be cursed if you reject the commands of the LORD your God and turn away from him and worship gods you have not known before.” (Deuteronomy 11:26–28)

Why should we then get caught up in wondering if a particular word we say is evil or good? If we call ourselves believers, followers of the Way, followers of Christ, Christians, or any other name that puts us under the authority of Christ. If we agree that we, “have been bought with a price....” (1 Corinthians 6:20) Then we also agree “...we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”” (2 Corinthians 5:20) As an ambassador, you do not speak on your own authority, because, “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God...” (1 Peter 4:11a) And as Christ’s ambassador you should, “”Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

When Balak repeatedly sought Balaam, God’s prophet, (ambassador) to speak a curse on the children of Israel (Numbers 22-24), the LORD used Balaam’s donkey to warn him to be careful of the words he used around Balak. So Balaam told Balak, “... I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the LORD my God.” (Nu 22:18) “”...I have come, but I have no power to say whatever I want. I will speak only the message that God puts in my mouth.”” (Nu 22:38) “...I will speak only the message that the LORD puts in my mouth.”” (Nu 23:12) “...Didn’t I tell you that I can do only what the LORD tells me?”” (Nu 23:26) “... I told you that I could say only what the LORD says!” (Nu 24:13)

When Ahab sought the LORD to see if he should retake one of his cities from Aram, all the priests spoke false words of hope, except the one the LORD spoke through. “But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what the LORD tells me to say.”” (1 Kings 22:14)

Additionally, after Elisha succeeded Elijah, (2 Kings 2) Elisha was given a lesson on the prophet, (ambassador) to only say what the LORD told him to say. But, “...when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him. They said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.” And he said, “You shall not send.” But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him. They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?” (2 Kings 2:15–18)

We see this played out, when, “Elisha left Jericho and went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, a group of boys from the town began mocking and making fun of him. “Go away, baldy!” they chanted. “Go away, baldy!” Elisha turned around and looked at them, and he cursed them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of them. (2 Kings 2:23-24)

Dear fellow ambassador, you are “...not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:14b–16) And always, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” (Proverb 31:8-9)

Jesus tells us to, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1) For, “They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.” ( Psalm 73:8-11; 15; 21-28)