Just Words

We say things like "words are cheap," "it's only words" or "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me."  We imply that words have no power, no substance, no weight - that it is actions, not words that matter.

But then we have Jesus saying, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Matt 24:35).  No weight?  No substance?  No power?  No way!  After the earth has passed away, after the sun and moon and stars are no more, his words remain.  There is nothing in all the universe with more substance.

Yeah, but those are the words of the Son of God, our words cannot compare, our words are only expressions of lowly humans, they have limited power and a very limited shelf-life.  Really?  Do you remember any words spoken to you as a child?  I do.  I can remember helpful and hurtful words spoken decades ago, words that still impact my life.

Moses told the Israelites, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (Deut 6:6-7).  Why?  To impact generations to come after themselves by their words.

David, the Psalmist, proclaimed, "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations" (Ps 89:1).  He believed his words would reverberate, impacting people to the end of time.  And, millennia later, they still are.

Word encourage, they discourage.  Words cause wars and words can bring peace.  Words can heal a broken heart or heal a broken spirit.  The pen truly is "mightier than the sword."  And, it cuts both ways, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless" (Js 1:26).  Words not only impact others, they impact ourselves.

Their not just idle words, they are expressions of intent, belief, warning, encouragement, trust and an endless reserve of other meanings, capable  of producing enormous outcomes or preventing forward motion.  So then, "be quick to listen, slow to speak" (Js 1:19).  Jus' Say'n - ever so slowly.