Our words are powerful - for good and for evil. 

The Book of Proverbs warns about the power of words when it says:

The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.- Proverbs 18:21

Given this power, our speech is often more consequential than we think or imagine. It affects and shapes our spouses in marriage, partners in dating relationships, children and grandchildren, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and beyond. 

Think of the capacity words possess for good. Looking back on life, you may remember helpful conversations that encouraged you during a dark time or pointed you in a new and hopeful direction. Perhaps you recall someone sharing a difficult truth with you in love. Sure, it was hard to hear, but you benefitted from that trusted friend's willingness to brave the awkwardness for your sake. Words and conversations like these can protect and promote lasting good.

Now, think of the power of words for evil. Most, if not all, people bear scars from malicious words spoken to or about them. Even after many years, harmful words wielded like weapons can still wreak havoc in our minds. And sadly, we must also confess how often our words, whether spoken or withheld, harm others - even those we love more than anything else.

Recognizing their power, we face a choice: will we speak words that harm or heal? 

The book of Proverbs encourages us toward the latter, noting that healing speech is a mark of the wise:

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." - Proverbs 12:18

I remember when one of my children suffered a deep gash on their foot due to a jagged piece of metal at the base of a door. The metal cut them directly and deeply. I rushed them to an urgent care clinic. The attending physician had minimal "bedside manner." His rash words, though medically accurate, lacked compassion. Instead of warm reassurance, he provided cold, dispassionate appraisal. He scared my child; his words didn't make anything better. 

We bandaged the wound tightly and drove to the local children's hospital. The doctors and staff, accustomed to working with children, were kind, compassionate, and calming. Although every bit truthful, the form and force of their words brought healing. My child relaxed, leaned back, got stitched up while watching Spongebob Squarepants, and thanked the physician before leaving. Words mattered in that moment and often matter much more than we think. 

Healing words are a deliberate choice.

One of the things we said in a recent message is that following Jesus, running the race of faith, is a deliberate choice. We don't do it accidentally. It's intentional. Predictably, the same is true of our speech. We won't just fall into honest, hopeful, and healing words and conversations. We must choose these things, build habits that promote them in our lives and relationships, and continually embrace them.

To help us move in these directions, we started a new sermon series around the popular acronym and encouragement: to T.H.I.N.K. before we speak. Learning to ask these five questions will help us communicate more healing and hopeful words, not harmful ones, in everyday conversations. 

T - Is it TRUE?
H - Is it HELPFUL?
I - Is it INSPIRING?
N - Is it NECESSARY?
K - Is it KIND?

Can you imagine a political debate striving to maintain these parameters? A marriage relationship? A family or parenting relationship? A workplace? A school? A neighborhood? A culture? A social media channel? A website comment section? What a blessing for all involved! 

Of course, our words and conversations will never be perfect in this life. However, even incremental improvements in our speech can make a significant and positive difference over time. Healing and hopeful speech is worth the effort. It brings glory to God and good to others and those who THINK before they speak. 

See you on Sundays at 10:45 AM! Whether in-person or online, we're always glad and grateful to worship with you.