The Power of Words

I'm not a man of many words. I'm not an eloquent speaker even though I'm asked to speak at various places and give my testimony. Some people just have that "gift of gab" and sometimes  you wished there was a shut off button! But as a Police Officer, I was always to the point. "Sir, I pulled you over for this reason. License, registration and insurance card, please". Right to the point.

Politicians, salesmen all seem to say much but with no substance but still convince you to do something. Some try to convince you that nothing is wrong and everything is OK yet some will make it seem like a country is about to nuke another country if not our country.

Yet words in music can be so appealing and bring forth much emotion. The same with poetry. The right words expressed can illuminate your mind with many visuals.

Look at TV commercials. Millions are spent to express a product or service and get you to buy it in 30 - 60 seconds! And do people buy? Sure! The power of words.

News reporters express many stories on TV and give visuals that help enhance what they are saying. In radio, words have to be expressed clearly to the listener will have a full understanding of what is being expressed. How many stories have you heard about being misled because what was expressed was not stated properly or truthfully? The power of words.

God has given of His words and warnings on what words can do. In James 3:6, "The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." It's really not difficult to get the point here. And God give many more examples in the Bible.

I can delete or undo words here as I type but words that are spoken can never be deleted. Once they are out there, they can't come back. That's why we must be so cautious about what we must say to people. Has anyone ever said something to you that hurt? Do you remember those words? Probably because we tend to remember the bad words that people say to us and not remember the goods ones! Bad words cut to the heart and it takes a long time to heal those situations.

So today, take some time and think about how you speak to people especially at home to your spouse and kids. I have regretted too often what has come out of my mouth. Even as a minister, I am imperfect and let my anger get the best of me at times. We all do. Today, try expressing something positive to the people around you and then make a habit of it. What you sow, you will reap! The power of words.
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