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Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Power of Words


"What's in a word?
Consider the difference between a wise man and a wise guy."
~ Anonymous


My friends, I beg you to watch out for anyone who causes trouble and divides the church by refusing to do what all of you were taught. Stay away from them! They want to serve themselves and not Christ the Lord. Their flattery and fancy talk fool people who don't know any better.
~ Romans 16:17-18 (CEV)

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "... I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
~ Matthew 12:25,36-37 (NKJV)


Consider the power of words.

With words we impart to others the power of knowledge or undermine truth.

With words we can steal hope or inspire faith.

With words we can cut others to pieces or build them up.

The pen is mightier than the sword because the sword can only take life. With words we have the power to destroy the lives of others, or to restore the lives of others.

With nothing more than His Word, the Creator fashioned the entire universe and everything in it save mankind, Whom He created with His touch and kiss of life.

With the Word made flesh, the Lord Jesus Christ, God has redeemed our souls.

Father God, what great power you entrust to us with words. We are not worthy or able to use them aright apart from You. Please conform our hearts to that of Your Son, that we might be able to exalt You and edify others in the use of our words.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to
BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

10 comments:

  1. Amen! May my words bring honor to God today.

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  2. "As we must account for every idle word, so must we account for every idle silence." - Ben Franklin

    Thank you for not being silent, Anne...

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  3. SAHM, interesting how a picture paints a thousand words?

    Gwen, your words are music, and your voice sweet, like a princess.

    Russell, it would be so much easier to be silent when I survey all my past idle, destructive words and feel physically ill. I can only resolve that with God's grace I will use words as a channel of His healing, and have the courage to refuse idle silence. I really appreciate that quote.

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  4. Your words always encourage, bless you.

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  5. A saying around my house is, "Your words are powerful."

    Powerful, life giving Words. Thank you.

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  6. With words the enemy lies. With the Word, the Truth is revealed.

    Love the picture. It shouldn't surprise me that we will give account for even our idle words...wow, thinking...

    ~ Wendy

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  7. Hey Anne,
    I answered on my blob but I'll answer here too. Yes, we did meet! :-) We both sat at B Mond's table on Saturday for lunch. I had a great time!

    Wonderful post. The verse I always think of is an old testament one, Proverbs maybe? About life and death is in the power of the tongue, and those who *wince* love it? will eat its fruit.
    :-) Okay, so now I totally have to go look it up because how sad is that I can't remember? But basically, I get what you're saying and think it's really, really important that we watch what we say. I also like be slow to anger, slow to speak, quick to listen. :-)

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  8. Hahaa! My blog... LOL .... I meant my BLOG. *snorting!*

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  9. Denise, likewise, I've never known your words to be anything but uplifting.

    Doug, I can't tell you what an encouragement to me you are. I'm blessed to have you as a friend.

    Wendy, my heart hurts to think on this sometimes. I continue to pray that the tongue no man can tame will learn increasing submission to His Spirit.

    Jessica, you're quite the cut up. Great photos on your bloG! You're right about Proverbs 18:21 being a perfect verse to accompany this. It's actually a verse I pray, because I believe the untamable tongue has much to do with not only the self-control we need for what we express, but the self-control we need for what we eat. The former builds up or destroys others, the latter builds up or destroys our bodies which serve as the Holy Spirit's temple.

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    And those who love it will eat its fruit.

    ReplyDelete

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