Talk Is Not Cheap.

Carol suggests that talk is not cheap. For example, unexpected words can instantly provoke feelings of fear. What kinds of words have you experienced?

Hearing Certain Words

Have you ever tried to sort through a 2000-piece puzzle to find the edge pieces or a specific piece you think should be easy to find? I have watched my daughter be frustrated at trying to find one more edge piece among a pile of them on the table. Our words, like those puzzle pieces, fill our days and at times we try and find the right response during a trying time. Maybe we wish we didn’t have to hear certain words.

Words Are Powerful

Words are powerful. They can alter your life. My husband, Brian, and I waited for the doctor to tell us the results of my husband’s biopsy. Both the family doctor and the specialist believed the test would show an infection and allow them to choose the correct antibiotic to treat it. The appointment date and time arrived. My husband chose to go by himself to hear the results. After all the words of both doctors had relieved our minds to the point of believing the result would never be serious.

 The doctor shattered the expected diagnosis of infection with a single word, “Cancer”. The difference between those two words—infection and cancer—changed the course ahead. Antibiotics could not fix the prostate cancer problem. We needed to meet with doctors so my husband could hear the options available to him. More powerful words to wait for, words that would help determine what path to take, how it would alter life as we both knew it, and guesses to the possible outcome. Waiting for the next appointment was a test in patience and we were not handling it well.

Realizing the Power of Words

When we think about the difference in words such as malignant versus benign or cancer versus infection or even guilty versus not guilty given in a court of law, we realize the power of those words. We all know the power of those types of words. No one questions that. Yet in our everyday lives, we often think talk is cheap and our words don’t matter, or at least the way we bandy them about suggests that sometimes. We say the first thing that comes to mind without thinking of its power in the listener’s life.

What the Bible Says About Words

The Bible tells us plainly what types of words should and should not be part of our vocabulary and everyday speech. 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.” In chapter 4: 31 it goes on to say, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” These commands should make us revisit the words we use every day.

Colossians 4: 6 tells us,

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” 1 Peter 3: 15 & 16 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

Talk Isn’t Cheap

Talk isn’t cheap. Our words can tear someone down or they can build another person up. We may never realize the full impact our words had on another. They can wound deep in the heart through their viciousness or they can soothe hurts already there by giving comfort and the reason for the hope we have in us.

As we think about the power of words like cancer or guilty, may we carry that image of the power of all our words through to our everyday interactions in our speech and written word with someone else. What words can you offer to another today that will build them up, encourage them, and give them hope?

Are you dealing with discouraging words? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.