The Power of Words

Words are Powerful

Weapons, even something as basic as sticks and stones, can maim and bruise, but it’s the power of words that make more change than we realize. The Power of Words can soothe, and inflame; challenge, and put down; calm, and incite a riot; draw someone close, and push them far away.

“Words – so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary,
how potent for good and evil they become in the hands
of one who knows how to combine them.”
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

Isn’t that interesting? Side by side in a dictionary. Potent. Good or evil. “… in the hands of one who knows how to combine them…” Words can build up and tear down. Inspire, or bring crushing defeat.

According to scripture, it was the spoken word that framed everything we know. Ten times the Bible records the phrase from the author, “And God Said…” (Genesis 1). At his spoken word, things happened. This tells me that our words have the power to create! Maybe not in the physical sense that Moses records, but imagine if you use your words to produce Good?

It was James that uttered this important phrase that always got my attention. I wondered if we all spoke this way then what would the world be like?

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
(James 3:8-12 NKJV)

The apostle Paul referenced words and their usage often, many times speaking about them to congregations, cities, and countries. “Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” (1 Corinthians 14:19 ESV) …unspeakable words… (2 Cor 12:4)  …few words… (Eph 3:3)  …vain words…(Eph 5:6) …enticing words… (Col 2:4)   …flattering words… (1 Thes 2:5)

But it was the wording to Timothy, his protege, that takes on a deeper concentration of the use of words. Phrasing that grabs my attention.

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
(1 Timothy 4:4-8 ESV)

We live in a world full of words. Some are there to instruct, others are there to bring doubt and confusion. Think about it, every language group has it’s own share of words that are common to them, and foreign to others. Slang, phrases, or even meanings of words take on different life in a different culture, even country.

Sometime back I read an article, “10 Quotes That Changed The Way We Look At The World” by Nick Robins-Early at The Huffington Post. It came to me via some social media or news outlet. I was intrigued enough to read and reflect. Many of them were spoken in my lifetime, even if I do not remember all the specific moments. Some of them were repeated over and again and became rallying cries of change, while others were thoughtfully presented while it took some time for an audience to realize their import. Imagine the author taking a few moments to realize that their words may actually be the match that strikes a change!

We hear words and phrases all the time that cause us to pause, reflect, and allow them to become our rallying cry. You may have words that mean a lot to you, here are a few words I believe were impactful to me personally, and to use them over and again keeps me focused on my choice of life.

My Seven Phrases:

1. You can do it… And I hear the voice of my parents, grandparents, and siblings when I think of this phrase. Whether it was to challenge me to jump off that high cliff (10-15 feet or so) into Menard Creek when swimming, or helping me to find the courage to balance that bike on two wheels, or stepping up to the front of the class to recite a poem or read a book report, these words are powerful! In turn, speaking them to others around me who are challenged by something they need to try and accomplish keep me focused forward!
2. Jesus… You may think this strange, but I hear my grandmother speak His name in my mind as a result of how she called on Him often. Even if the mistake were her’s in the making, she would call out that name as she corrected the course she was taking. (This is a driving reference for those of you who know.) The lyrics to a song says, “He’s as close as the mention of his name… Jesus. Jesus.” I’ve learned it. I live it.
3. I am so proud of you... Graduating, completing a job, participating in a group effort. Regardless of the situation to know that someone is proud of me for the job well done, or at least attempted even when certain failure looms.
4. I Love You… This stands alone and we all know it’s power. Not simply power, but life-changing affirmation!
5. Want to go with me… As a young person looking up to older ones around me, these were words I often yearned for. A friend (Buddy Creel) taking me for a spin in his 1955 MG (co-owned of course), or even asking me to take my first road trip to relocate the family to Wyoming when I turned 16 (they needed a driver! YES!), or even asking me to eat out after church, spend the night, sing in the choir… If we are ever forgetful of how we felt when asked to go along, just imagine you sharing these words to someone who needs to feel included.
6. You are so __________…. and then fill in the blank for the moment. To one who never remembered me telling her she was beautiful, or to one I never said how much I appreciated them enough, or to another who I did not brag enough on accomplishments – these are words we do not speak often enough with feeling.
7. Will you marry me… Choosing a life partner is so very important. Even at the age of 18 I knew who I wanted and was willing to plant the remainder of my life with this woman of choice.

I seldom get written responses to my blog, but I wonder if you would not take a moment and share some words that made a huge impact on you and the way you see the world around you… Trust me. These words are important!