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How are you using your words?
There have been many studies trying to understand how we communicate and use language. On average each adult uses around 16,000 words each day. Some people use more and some people use less, but we are a very communicative species. By the time we are around one year old we begin to communicate using words. We continue to add to our vocabulary and our use of words continues to grow through midlife.
The question for us today is: How are we using all those words each day? How are we using all that time and energy each day? We put a lot of effort into trying to communicate with the people around us, to express our thoughts and feelings?
For many of us we fall into habits of communication, the use of certain words or the topics we talk about can almost seem to take on a life of their own. Sadly, many fall into gossiping, lying, backbiting, cursing, telling course jokes all ways of communicating that can have a negative impact on those around us. When we use our words in this way, we will often have to pay a heavy cost. We may lose family, friends, spiritual family, credibility, the respect of others, and possibly even our hope of a home with God in heaven.
When Jesus was speaking to a crowd He emphasized the importance of how we choose to use our words. Each word we speak one day will be judged by God. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37) The words we speak suddenly take on great importance when we realize that each word will one day be judged and could condemn us.
Paul also reminded us that our words should be used wisely for the benefit of those around us. Any word we speak that others can hear has an impact on them. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)
Each time we open our mouth we have a decision to make. We can use our words to build up the people around us or tear them down. How we use our words each day can have a great impact on our own lives and the lives of those around us. ~Brad Tolbert
