The Power of Words

Words are powerful things. Growing up as a kid there was a thing we use to say "stick and stones my break my bones, but names (words) will not hurt me."

I have been thinking about that when putting together my talk at Rainstorm entitled "The Power of Words." And I thought I would like to be hit with sticks or stones then have someone say something about me or call me a name. The Bible says that words can "torment and crush" people; also "the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts."

In grade 2 I had a teacher write on my report card that I talked to much in class. (I know to some of you that seems abit weird because I do not talk that much), the words of the teacher we something powerful to me. I wish the teacher did not say that about me, it affect my whole life because I let the words do it. Maybe she could have hit me with a ruler and it would not have been as bad.

However words can be used in different ways too first they can by used for good. The Bible says: "Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.";"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.";"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" So we know words can be used to build people up. But it can be used to bring people down too and the Bible talks about this side of words too, it says: "They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows."; "His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more
soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords."; "The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful..." What we that words can build up or bring down it is up to us, what we use our words too do. We can build people up or bring them down. I want to be known as someone who uses my words to build someone up. But there are days and times during a day, when I do not do this but it something I am working on.

When words are said to people it can make people do some different things. In my story in grade2. I stopped talking in school as much, I thought it you think I talk to much in class I am not going to talk anymore. I made the wrong decision about that one. The Bible talks about what some people do when they hear words. For some reason a lot of people tear their robes and put on sackcloth. That means about weird to me. But we do the same thing we just do not tear our robes we tear the inside of ourselves, I did this to my self when I decisioned not to talk anymore in school.

The Bible also challenges us about the words that come out of ours mouths. It says: Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock and my protector. Are the words we use and say pleasing to God?
My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn't right. Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring? Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Does fresh water come from a well full of salt water?
This asks us about the words that come out of our mouth. In one min we can say nice things about God and then turn to our friends and put them down. We are the words that come out of your mouth when you talk to your friends? Build up or bring down?

Remember I am still working on this too. Some days I can build people and praise God too. And some days I am praising God and bring people down. But I would like to get to a place in my life where my words are building people up and praising God. I hope you guys can help me with this.

Thanks
Howden Matt Howden