Something that has been on my mind, and which I have been personally challenged with is the substance of the words that come out of my mouth to and regarding other people. We each have the power to build up and encourage and bring life by the words we speak to and about others.
Likewise, we also have the ability to wound and crush people by how and what we speak. In my own life and experience it has taken much more care, thought and self-control to speak kindly in a way that builds others up. It is easy to speak a sarcastic, negative, malicious word against someone. Our words are extremely powerful and have brought life and health and well-being to our families and communities, and yet have also effectively fractured, divided and destroyed relationships and individuals.
This is a sobering thought for me. We all have tongues, and according to Jesus’ brother, James, it is easier to tame beasts in the wild than to bring our tongues under control. He likens the tongue to a ship’s rudder, a fire which can set a whole forest ablaze, and a “world of evil, filled with deadly poison.” These illustrations are worth deeper discussion than we have time for in this column, but suffice it to say that the tongue is a very small part of the body, and yet it retains the capability to drastically affect the course of lives.
We remember too well, words that were spoken to us out of ill-will, anger or insincerity. It’s easy and natural to justify our flagrant words about others when we are acutely feeling hurt by someone. I have made many mistakes in my life regarding my words. I have spoken out of anger. I have tried to justify myself before men. I have wounded others by misrepresenting them. We have all made many crushing mistakes. And we have all been victims of the crushing statements of friends and acquaintances.
Many of us are caught in the vicious cycle of wounds and words that is difficult to break free of. I want to encourage you today with the truth that in Jesus Christ, we have received mercy from God, even though we have made many mistakes. I have been shown mercy, and have been empowered to be merciful to others. We know that our cause has been brought before the Father by his Son, who suffered for all mankind once and for all; we can be assured that we will be justified by him as well. “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23)
I fondly remember people who spoke kind words when I was in an unsure time of my life, such as when I was struggling through the identity crises in high school. Now, on a daily basis I am encouraged by a kind look, a note from a friend, a fist bump or someone’s hand on my shoulder assuring me that I’m not alone. I am often reminded of a magnet on my sister’s refrigerator with a quote from Plato: “Always be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
We have been given a powerful tool with which we can encourage and build others up, or we can wound and destroy.
With great power also comes great responsibility. Let us all think and speak responsibly. Maybe we can all help to change this cycle.
It can take just a word to be someone’s hero.
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week’s contributor is Jake Patten, youth pastor of Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church.
Leave a Reply