Words Do Matter . . .

"We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check" 

~James 3:2

I have a Bible study that I lead on Wednesday mornings at a local coffee shop.  This week, it just so happened that the verses that came up in our study are the same verses I’m preaching on this Sunday morning.  I wrote the sermon two or three months ago, and the Bible study we just started a few weeks ago, so it’s a pretty remarkable coincidence. 

And I couldn’t guess how many times I’ve told the congregation to pay close attention to “coincidences” because I’ve learned throughout my life, that often what we call a “coincidence” is God working in our life.

I can’t think of a better time to talk about the power of words.  The importance of how we speak to each other.  Our culture is out of control, especially with our speech.  The hate we spew.  The foul language that’s everywhere.  The awful things we say to people we don’t agree with.  So called journalists and media propagate this division for profit and power.  Fortunately, that ploy that has been exposed and is giving them exactly what they’ve earned-- falling ratings, power and credibility. Social media has done tremendous damage to our peace, and fortunately there too, people are beginning to realize how damaging it is to children and adults alike.   

So what can we do about it? 

Nothing.  We can’t do much of anything about other people’s speech, but we can certainly pay attention to our own.  Because words are easy things to say, but they are important because they reflect what on the inside of us.  Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”  Your words are simply revealing what's already there. When criticism flows easily from your lips, it's because criticism has taken root in your heart. When anxiety dominates your speech, it's because anxiety has gripped your soul. When harshness characterizes your tone, it's because something harsh has settled inside you.

Think about that for a minute.  On Sunday morning, you sing worship songs with genuine emotion. You pray beautiful prayers. You say "Amen" to the sermon. Then Monday comes, and that same mouth speaks harsh words to your family, spreads gossip about a co-worker, or complains bitterly about anything that comes across your path that displeases you. 

James says in 3:10 “Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”  And James is right.  We don't need a speech coach, we need a heart specialist. We don't need better self-control, we need a new heart.  Because the tongue reflects what’s on the inside.  Our speech is a symptom of something much deeper.  It’s a sign of a heart and spirit issue.  And that’s where we have to start. 

So where do we begin? 

First, we use our speech as a diagnostic tool. Pay attention to your words today. When do you speak harshly? What triggers criticism or gossip? What anxieties dominate your conversations? Listen to your own words and let them show you what's happening in your heart.

Second, we bring what we discover to God in honest prayer. This is crucial. You can’t fix your heart yourself. Sure, you can make promises to do better, but a far better way to go about it is to confess what your words have revealed. "God, my criticism of others reveals pride in my heart." Or, "Father, my anxious words show I'm not trusting You." Maybe it’s "Lord, my harsh tone reveals anger I haven't dealt with." Confession is agreeing with God about what's true. 

Third, ask God to do what only He can do.  Ask Him to change your heart. Just like is says in Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This is God's work, not ours. We can't manufacture humility, peace, or love through effort. But God can plant these things in us through His Spirit. 

Fourth, stay dependent. This isn't a one-time prayer but a daily, moment-by-moment dependence on God. Before that difficult conversation, we pray: "Lord, guard my mouth." When we feel criticism rising, we pause and ask: "God, what's happening in my heart right now?" When we're tempted to gossip, we pray: "Father, help me love this person instead of talking about them."  The transformation James calls us to isn't about trying harder to control our tongues, it’s about depending on God. 

Think about it.  And don’t forget to go to church on Sunday.

~Pastor Todd Creason