The Importance of Our Words

Many of us goal-driven professionals will often conclude our workweek by reviewing what we got done during the prior 5 business days.  We’ll look over our “to do” list, either mentally or on paper, and relish in the thrill of accomplishment or the agony of procrastination.   For this Weekly Insight, I’d like to challenge you to take another perspective on this week-ending ritual by reviewing what you’ve said.  My encouragement for you to do so is based on the importance of our words.

First, let’s get passed the childhood refrain of “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.”  Each of us knows that’s not true.  My wife and I recently celebrated our 34^th wedding anniversary and yet, to this day, parts of our lives, for good and ill, are impacted by words that were said to us decades ago. 

Proverbs 25:11 states “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word fitly spoken.”  This means that there is nothing more encouraging than saying the right words to someone at the right time.  Yes, in today’s techno world of faxes, e-mails and instant messages, nothing replaces looking someone in the eyes and saying an encouraging word. 

Words we speak can be wonderfully uplifting or they can be terribly destructive (see James 3).  So take a moment and conduct an inventory of your spoken words this past week.  How many “apples of gold in settings of silver” opportunities can you remember?  I can almost guarantee you this.  If you work in the marketplace, you had more than one chance this past week to speak an encouraging word.  And beyond that, each of us has families, friends, church acquaintances, relatives—the list goes on and on.  In each sphere of our lives, we can use the power of the spoken word for both good and ill.  Our words are planted in the hearts of our hearers where they take root and grow.  What fruit are your words producing?

The Source of Powerful Words

The power of our words is not in their abundance, but in their source.  For example:  “And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”  Many reading this know who said those words and the context in which he said them.  And think of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address—a total of only 272 words!  Your words and mine have great power based on the context we are in and the heart behind the words.  As the Psalmist prayed, so should we, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord.”  Christ, Himself, challenged us with these words: “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” 

A Few Words with Power

Six Words

“I admit I made a mistake.” 

Five Words

“You did a good job.” 

Four Words

“What is your opinion?” 

Three Words

“I love you.” 

Two Words

“Forgive me.” 

One Word

“We” 

Although saying “I love you” may not be appropriate within a work context, the other words listed certainly apply there.  And here are a few more powerful words that when spoken from a sincere heart can impact the lives of the ones we love: 

“Do you know how much you mean to me?” 

“I am so proud of you.” 

“You are a tremendous blessing to me.” 

I’m sure you can think of many more words that provide encouragement and hope to those around you.  The challenge is this: Will I let Christ so rule and reign in my life that words like these become a natural and sincere part of my work and family life?   

By that I mean will these words simply flow out from me as “living water” whose source is the One Whose Words are my life and hope? 

How about you?  Your workweek is just beginning.  But so is your word week.   

Keith 

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