The power of words

Job 19:2

How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?

The power of our words cannot be overestimated nor understated. Our words are of immense potency and incalculable impact. Ten volumes of ten thousand words a piece could not scratch the surface of what our words can do. Entire lives may be decimated by one phrase or statement. Huge cities may be reduced to ruins because of the loquacious mouth of a loose-lipped person. Strong and healthy churches can be degraded to assemblies of gossip and malice because of the influence of a flattering or tale-bearing member. This is of utmost and extremest importance. To pass over this because it is uncomfortable is to court the danger of destroying your own life and the life of many others. For what does the Scripture tell us? Death and life are in the power of the tongue! They that love it shall eat the fruit thereof! The tongue is a fire and a world of iniquity! How great a matter a little fire kindleth! This is the power of the tongue! Have you reckoned with this power? For no man can tame it. It must be crucified by the life of Christ. It must be brutalized and beaten to death without mercy. For this is the only acceptable way to deal with an unruly tongue.

Job here asserts that his friends have vexed his soul. How many a time have words vexed our own souls! And how many a time have we vexed someone else’s soul! It is easy to do! Offenses shall come. But woe to him through whom they come! And if any offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body! It is easy to offend, and hard to keep from offending. But may our words never bring vexation to others! Christ’s words were gracious and kind. Others wondered at the words that came from His mouth! He did not show hatred, malice, or strife with His lips. He did not speak crossly, crassly, or cruelly. He spoke loving words that helped the sinner, and fed the saint. Oh, may God place these words in our mouths! That our words may refresh and not vex.

Job also says that they have broken him in pieces with words. Yes, my friends, “sticks and stones may break my bones,” but our words may actually break the soul. The soul may be divested of its joy and sucked of its life by a simple word. Others may be broken perpetually because of the wrong words being spoken. Oh, let us never forget what even unintentionally hurtful words may inflict on others! Are there some over-sensitive to offense, are unnecessarily hurt? Certainly, there are such. But we do not deal with them today. We deal with our own mouths, to ensure that we speak words that are pleasant as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. We must speak works that minister to the souls of others and bring health to a hurting person. How will we do this? Our mouths must be brought into submission to the Holy Ghost. We must reckon them dead unto sin, and alive unto God. We must mortify our members which are upon this earth. Because only then will an earthly mouth be used for heavenly things, and sinful lips be used for godly purposes. It can be done! But we must yield to the Spirit. We must determine today, as we yield to Him, that we will not use our tongue to vex others or break them in pieces, but to encourage, comfort, heal, and build together the hurting hearts and lives of others. Will you ask the Lord to perform this in you today?

“Father, we come to you now with one request from you. Will you help us to be a builder and not a destroyer? Will you show us this day how to be a blessing to others through our words? Please guide us by your Holy Spirit, and, with your help, we yield to Him now. Control our mouth, and dominate our tongue. Guide that which proceeds out of our mouth, that some wondering, hurting, and inwardly struggling soul may find peace, comfort, and everlasting help in our loving Lord. May our words point others to our Lord Jesus. In whose name we pray, Amen.”