Monday Morning Encouragement -- The Power of Words

"From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." James 3:10

I like to read quotes, and I have a file where I keep my favorites. Recently I came across a secular quote from an unknown source regarding words we speak that, I believe, is worth sharing:

"The six most important words: I admit I made a mistake.

The five most important words: You did a good job.

The four most important words: What is your opinion?

The three most important words: If you please.

The two most important words: Thank you.

The one least important word: 'I'."

The overriding principle I see in this quote is humility. Admitting when we make a mistake instead of making excuses. Kindly encouraging someone in their work instead of mostly criticizing it (by the way, I've read that it takes five positive comments to erase one single negative comment).  Asking someone for their opinion rather than assuming we have all the answers. Politely making a request, rather than demanding. Expressing our appreciation by saying, "thank you." And, finally, seeing ourselves as less important than others (and by that I don't mean that we become doormats for narcissists, but that especially in conversations we moderate how much time we spend talking about ourselves). One of the best compliments we can give to others is to let them talk about themselves and to show genuine interest in what they tell us. 

British poet and writer Pearl Strachan Hurd once said about words: "Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs." In the Book of James we find something very similar:

"For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:7-8

Pretty strong words from James, and true. How we speak to others reveals so much about our relationship with God. As His children we are set to a higher standard than unbelievers. David understood this when he wrote in Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." This should be our prayer every day. If God is pleased with the words we speak, then we can be assured that we are speaking in obedience to Him, and others will benefit by that obedience as we reflect His character through our words.

This isn't hard to do, but it does take effort. We have a choice to make in how we speak to others, and we have to consciously choose to speak kindly. What's more we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us to effect the changes we need to make in our speech. When we desire to use words wisely, He will guide us in our conversations. We will sense that nudge to speak encouragement to someone. Conversely, we also may feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit to not say something. It works both ways.

Today's music video Words by Hawk Nelson features Bart Millard from MeryMe. The lyrics express the power of words, both good and bad. And how our words can point the world to God. And isn't that what we all want?

I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.