Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More Subscribe Options
Did you know that your words can wound? In fact, words can destroy.
On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese made a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. They disabled most of the U.S. pacific naval fleet. The United States government feared that enemy spies would find out other key locations of navy vessels, so they felt it necessary to warn the soldiers against unguarded talk that might give useful information to the enemy. In addition, many civilians volunteered for the government, and it was thought that they would not know how to conduct themselves when they wrote letters home, or in general conversations, or even if they were captured. The government feared that they would indirectly disclose information. So, to help remind the soldiers and the civilians, they came up with a phrase that was printed on posters: Loose lips sink ships.
Words and how we use them are very important, because they have the potential to bring life or death.
Pause with me for just a second and grab your Bible and read James 3, and make a note about how this chapter is mainly about controlling the tongue. If you were to read every chapter in the book of James, you would find that every chapter in there is admonishment about our speech. And in Psalm 119, in verses 172 and 173, we read what our tongue should be used for. It says, “May my tongue sing of Your Word for all Your commands are righteous. May my hand be ready to help me for I have chosen Your precepts.” I’m finding myself, as I get older, wanting less and less to be known as someone who even knows about gossip, let alone spreads it. Nothing good comes from it, and it destroys relationships, hearts and people. If my mouth is bury singing His praises, it’s going to be a lot less likely to be hurting others.
We encounter people every day and have opportunities to heal or hurt with our words, but that is especially true with these little people God has given us. It’s easy to speak unkindly to them in our frustration, yet those hurtful words we speak can take root and grow into lifelong lies that replay over and over in their little heads. What we say to them each day matters! If you’re guilty, you’re not alone. Thankfully, they remember when we apologize and ask forgiveness too!
Take out your Bible today and read James 3 with me. Let me know what you’re learning. I’d love to hear about what God is teaching you about the power of words, and let’s be moms that speak life over those we meet today!