Messy Relationships, Blog 6: The Power of Words
Words are a funny thing. They can build up or tear down. They can encourage or discourage. They have power when spoken and they can have even more power when left unspoken. Words can be used with great wisdom or with great folly. The point is fairly simple, we all have a choice. We can use words for good or use them selfishly for some kind of personnel gain or even in a demeaning way. Whichever choice one makes, the impression you leave will most likely have long lasting effects. So, what kind of person do you want to be known for?
Let's take a look at each one starting with the negative ...
Everyone has run across a person(s) who fall into this famous category. You know this type of person, the one who thinks if Starbucks were to close for a day the world must be coming to an end, and it will completely ruin their day. They can be male or female, young or old, Christian or non-Christian. In other words, anyone can be negative. Why? Because we all have the ability to make a choice!
What has always interested me is you can spot negativity rather quickly, but spotting an encouraging person seems to take a little longer.
Next, we move on to the person who uses the majority of their speech for personal gain. In other words, this is person who thinks, "what is in it for ME?" They manipulate, twist and lead the conversation to shade things to their benefit. A person who uses words in this way, can be any of us at any time, so it is important that our motives stay in check. Unfortunately, many times a person of these words will gradually allow them to become a normal way of speech, thus leading them right back into a "what’s in it for me?" attitude.
Proverbs 10:2 says, "Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit; but righteousness delivers from death."
Lastly, my favorite, the positive or encouraging person. These are the ones who look at the glass as half full instead of half empty, they genuinely enjoy finding the good in things and are always thankful for the person they are talking to. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 we are instructed to "Encourage one another and build one another up ..." Can anyone become this way? I believe so. Some may struggle, but with hard work, discipline and prayer, I believe change can occur.
Remember, God has given you the freedom to choose how you use your words. My prayer is that you will choose wisely thus allowing HIM to be honored and glorified by "The Power of YOUR words!"
Chip Johnson, Elder