The Power of Our Words

It is no exaggeration to say that there is nothing in this world more powerful or more dangerous than words.  If “the pen is mightier than the sword”, then the tongue is mightier than the gun.  At least with the “pen” you have the opportunity to carefully rethink and re-compose your words before sending them off.  But with the “tongue”, it’s often “shoot from the hip” and ask questions later.  The spoken word can never be taken back.  We can apologize, but the damage has been done and the scars remain long after forgiveness is offered.  On the other hand, the degree of good that can be done by a “word fitly spoken” is…well… beyond words.  Because of that, we must be always on guard against harmful words and constantly ready to speak words of grace.

You avid hunters know what I mean.  When you carry a loaded gun through the woods, you are constantly aware of it’s potential, ever-watchful where the barrel is pointed, frequently checking that the safety is on, watching that you don’t slip or trip over a log, even unloading the chamber when in more dangerous or precarious situations.  You know that the gun has much promise for good (e.g.  filling your freezer), but much potential for harm.  Thus, a wise hunter is very careful with their weapon.  If only we would be as careful with the tongue as we are with a gun! Unfortunately, too often we “shoot our mouths off” with far less caution.  We let the bullets fly with little thought as to how or where they might land.

Because of this, Eph 4.29 ought to be stamped indelibly on the heart of every Christian.  It says, “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”.

The English word “unwholesome” means “unhealthy. This fits well with our hunting illustration.  Stray or misguided bullets can be unhealthy, to say the least.  Same is true of misspoken or thoughtless words.  However, the damage from bullets is usually quick and apparent, while the damage from negative or critical words is often unseen, slowly eating away under the surface like “rot” or “decay” (“rotten” is the truer meaning of the Greek word translated “unwholesome” in Eph 4.29).  When such damage finally comes to the surface, it is often too late to undo the hurt.  So before you go off double-cocked and loaded for bear, think again. Let your words be full of grace instead and see how much more powerful they can be.

© 2006 Randy Hohf