The old phrase “talk is cheap” is a common thread in today’s 24 hour news cycles and gossip mill we call social media. Words today are often spoken without reverence or thought to their consequences. They are commonly filled with deceit, malice and self interest with little to no truth or value in them. Contrary to popular belief words have real spiritual and physical consequences. The childhood phrase “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” is a bold face lie. Words can cut down to ones very soul. They have the power to exalt or destroy in a single phrase. Once spoken they can never be unspoken leaving behind a wake of sorrow and pain that can last a lifetime. Many Christians today speak as cruel and carelessly as the world with little or no distinction between them. The consequences for Christians are far more reaching and impactful than simply hurting someone’s feelings. They have an eternal consequence far beyond this world. An off comment or passing phrase can close an opportunity to share the Love of Jesus with someone or even tarnish the image of our savior through association with our words.
Jesus shows us the importance of words by explaining where His words came from. He did not speak off the cuff or in passing, but deliberately spoke only what the Father told him to say. In this example Jesus is speaking in the temple in Jerusalem (John 12:49-50) “for I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that His command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”. Throughout Jesus’s ministry he made it clear he was to do the Fathers work and say what the Father told him to say. He knew words had a real impact and built his ministry on those words. Jesus went as far as saying that His words will save us from judgment and cross us over from death to life (John 5:24) “very truly I tell you, whoever hears my words and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” Jesus also showed us His words are eternal (Luke 21:33)”Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Words matter.
With Jesus on the throne awaiting His return and the Apostles in the grave who represents Jesus in a desperate world condemned to eternal damnation? Christians do. We are the examples of Jesus many in this world may ever hear. With such a responsibility, our words should be those of Jesus’s words who in turn are the words of the Father. Our mission is to share the good news! Jesus is ALIVE and coming soon. Salvation is at hand and no power on earth can stop it.
In summary, as Christians our words have far reaching consequences good and bad. As Paul wrote (Ephesians 4:29) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” The next time you begin to speak off the cuff or in passing take a moment to consider your words and the impact they may have. Do they build up and are they an example of the love Jesus has for the recipient? We are in the world, but not of it and our words should be chosen out of our love for Jesus.