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“He made you hear his voice from heaven to teach you and he made you see his great fire on earth and you heard his words out of the fire.” – Deuteronomy 4:36
I was listening to a new song that someone was singing last night. It’s an original song and therefore not well known. I don’t follow all the words, but this one sentence sticks with me. “You cut me with your words,” sings the artist.
Words, the ability to communicate, to express yourself, to convey meaning, to interact with others, is surely one of the greatest gifts that God has given to people. Imagine we share the same space but cannot communicate with each other.
As with all things, words can be used for good purposes. Words that build up, sincerely compliment, guide and words that identify with others when they are suffering. There is no doubt in my mind that this is God’s intention with words.
It is interesting that the Gospel of John also refers to the Word.
The Word came to the world in the beginning, but the people were not receptive.
It is obviously the case that people can reject the good intentions you have with your words.
On the other hand, using words – or rather abusing them – and hurting, negativeizing, discouraging or leaving others behind after you leave is a clear misunderstanding of God’s intention with words.
Once one has used one’s words to thoughtlessly and unsympathetically hurt someone in one’s frame of reference, it is difficult to take them back. It sometimes takes a very long time to repair the breach of trust that has occurred.
The grief it causes heals very slowly.
People get hurt and hurt. It’s so unnecessary.
If you struggle to make peace with ugly words that have been thrown at you, you can boldly take them to the Lord. After all, people said of Jesus that he was a glutton and a wine drinker.
Unsympathetic and unkind words were hurled at Him until He finally died on a cross.
It is interesting and worth noting that Jesus speaks differently than people. Onlookers said that he spoke like someone in authority, not like the clergy of their day. Jesus’ words were anointed and brought healing.
It is wise to think before you speak. It’s good practice to give a few scores before reacting to what others say. The Bible says do not return evil for evil.
May your words today, and every day, be sprinkled with salt.
- ToekomsVenster is a daily message to equip individual believers with practical faith skills. Small group accompaniments, DVDs and functional sermon sketches are available from Drienie ([email protected]) or visit www.toekomsvenster.co.za
