What is in a Word?

What is in a word? Through the ages man has learned how to change and control his environment. He has tamed the wild beast; harnessed natural resources; changed the course of rivers; even the mighty atom has come under man’s control. With all this mass control there is yet one thing man has not been able to tame: his tongue. In James 3:5 we find these words, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold , how great a matter a little fire kindleth.” Words are powerful! It has been said that the pen is mightier than the sword. Lives have been changed by a word. Lives also have been destroyed by a single word. Countries have gone to war over what someone said. Words can destroy, they can heal, they can console; we just need to know how and when to use the words. A gentle word can calm fears of a frightened child. An word spoken in anger can break a heart and tear a family apart. A word of compassion can ease pain and grief. While it is best to think before we speak it is not always so. Usually we speak before we think. Remember words are like arrows. Once put in flight they cannot be returned. Sometimes it is best to stop talking and listen. When the mouth is open the ears are closed. It is the tongue that gets us in trouble not the ears. Let us look at Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Of the seven things that are displeasing to the Lord, four refer to how words are used. The old saying, “If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.” Sounds like good advice. The bible teaches, For as he thinketh is his heart so is he... Proverbs23:7 Becareful what you say you may not like the results.