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“The language we use to communicate with one another is like a knife. In the hands of a careful and skilled surgeon, a knife can work to do great good. But in the hands of a careless or ignorant person, a knife can cause great harm. Exactly as with our words.”—Unknown
The Bible echoes this truth. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). So…stabbed anyone lately? I have to admit, words are powerful like a knife. I’ve been cut, and I’ve done some stabbing myself.
Quick to strike
The world around us tells us to speak our mind. After all, we have the right to say what we are thinking, right? If people don’t like it, they don’t have to listen. We say what’s on our mind without hesitation (slash!), and the result can be a deep wound.
Sometimes we try to pull back and retreat from our attacks, but even after you pull a knife out, there is still pain. So our words can leave lasting effects on our victims.
In contrast, words of healing and health are a rare prize. Compliment others on a job well done or encourage them to try again when they make a mistake. “What, are you kidding me—and miss the perfect opportunity for self-promotion?!”
But why?
Why is it that people are so cautious in complimenting and building up, yet so quick to criticize and bring down?
One word…pride. Whether we realize it of not, verbal stabs are an attempt to make someone else look bad, so that by comparison we look better.
It’s selfish, inconsiderate, and people won’t think you are cooler when you do it. If you hang out with those who constantly “bad mouth” others, what makes you think they don’t do the same about you when you’re not around?
There is little risk in words of encouragement. When was the last time someone snapped back at you with a sharp comment for saying something uplifting to him or her? We like genuine compliments and encouraging words.
God’s take
The Bible says much about words and the power of the tongue. It calls the tongue “an unruly evil” that is impossible to tame, but admonishes us to seek perfection in controlling our words (James 3:8, 2).
But how do we control our words if God Himself says it is impossible to tame the tongue? The key is that it’s impossible to tame it by yourself. But with God all things are possible.
A challenge
Here is your personal challenge. I dare you to do it! It can help change you from a verbal assassin to a delicate surgeon.
- For one day, keep a record of your words.
- Every time you say something negative, mark it down.
- Every time you say something positive, jot that down.
- At the end of the day, take a look. Any room for improvement? How many lives did you improve with uplifting words? How many did you diminish with destructive words?
Think more about how we speak to and treat each other by reading “Calming the Waters.”
You and I control the sharpest object of all—the tongue. The question is: For what purpose will we use it? Will we strike a piercing blow to the inward parts? Or will we use our tongues for friendship, encouragement and a life-saving infusion of genuine love?
The knife is in your hands…or truly, in your mouth. VT
- About the Author -
Zach Smith with his wife Emily are two of five volunteers on the 10-month United Youth Corps project in Amman, Jordan, where he teaches physical education. To learn more about the experiences of the Jordan crew, visit uycjordan08.blogspot.com.
If Jesus tweeted, would we follow?
Some may ask: What, pray tell, is a tweet? Tweets are the short, frequent text-based messages you post through a social network called Twitter and that all answer the same question: What are you doing?
More and more people are becoming “twitterpated,” so to speak. In fact, Twitter’s popularity is growing so quickly it recently ranked as the third most used social network after Facebook and MySpace, according to a February 2009 blog entry on tracking site Compete.com.
Jesus tweet
So imagine if Jesus used Twitter and we could ask Him: What are You doing?What would His tweets tell us?
Think about it. We like to stay up-to-the-minute current on our friends and family, so why not the Messiah we yearn to follow and worship? Shouldn’t we as His followers want to know at least some of the things He’s doing—at this very moment?
Not now, I’m shepherding
We can know—at least to some small degree—what Jesus is doing. He tells us Himself in the pages of the Bible. At any given moment, Christ is shepherding, among other things.
In the book of John, chapter 10 describes Christ’s role as our Good Shepherd. Yawn, you may think. Shepherds are stereotyped as standing with staff in hand and, well, not doing much of anything else.
Not so! Remember that in first-century culture when Christ walked the grassy slopes of Palestine, sheep were highly prized for their wool, milk and meat, so protecting them was of utmost importance. Think of shepherds in that era as being in the asset-protection or wealth-management business.
Now, understanding the importance of shepherds, read chapter 10 of John—it’s not that long! The Good Shepherd does the following things:
- Enters by the gate (He’s the real deal, not a sheep rustler).
- Calls His sheep by name (He knows them as individuals).
- Leads them out to pasture (provides for them).
- Goes ahead of them (leads the way).
- Lays down His life for the sheep (puts their needs ahead of His own).
Notice all the action phrases! Jesus Christ is decidedly not hanging out in heaven somewhere while people are searching for real leadership in our confused and restless world. He’s busy leading, guiding and caring for His flock as the Good Shepherd.
To better grasp what Jesus is doing, check out “The Messiah’s Misunderstood Mission.”
Twitter to the future
Our job is to follow Christ, but few seem to know where we are ultimately headed. Enter the Twitter question, but this time ask our Good Shepherd in the future sense: What are you going to do?
Prophecies throughout the Bible tell us that eventually Christ will trade in His shepherd’s staff for a crown in His future role as ruler of the Kingdom of God—right here on earth. We can have a wonderful part in that kingdom if we follow the Shepherd and prepare now.
What are you doing? VT
- About the Author -
Hansel New and his wife, Rachelle, and their two young children live and work near Eugene, Oregon, where they attend the United Church of God.
