Uh-Oh! Words Matter
“Uh-oh.”
These words were spoken by Kim Beede, a board member of Oakley Union Elementary School District in Oakley, Calif., after learning during an online board meeting that the meeting was being publicly live-streamed. Thinking they were speaking in private, four board members had spent several minutes criticizing and joking about parents in their district. “They want to pick on us because they want their babysitters back,” one board member quipped. The entire board resigned Friday, February 19th, amid a public outcry two days later.
“Oh no”! That stings.
How many times have your unguarded words gotten you into trouble?
We all grew up hearing “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yet we learned quickly that wasn’t true.
God speaks frequently about the power and influence of our words:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).
It doesn’t take much, does it? Words like “guilty” or “not guilty,” “I do,” or “it’s over” can change everything.
“If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26).
Jesus said, “…for the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Luke 6:45), and “by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
Proverbs talks about the destructive power of the tongue: “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword” (Prov. 12:18). The tongue can lie (12:19), be perverse (17:20), gossip (11:12-13), flatter (26:28), slander (10:18), scoff (1:22), be wicked (10:6), be foolish (10:8), be overused (10:19), destroy (11:9), impoverish (14:23), stir up anger (15:1), ruin friendships (17:9), cause strife (18:6); ensnare (18:7), bear false witness (12:17), speak too hastily (29:20), crush one's spirit (15:4).
Proverbs also talks about the constructive power of the tongue: “the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (10:11). It can restore (16:24), preserve (13:3), display wisdom (10:19), speak truth (12:17), teach (13:14), save lives (14:25), give a voice to the voiceless (31:8-9), proclaim the gospel (11:30), turn away anger (15:1), promote personal health (16:24), speak a timely word (15:23), promote joy (23:16), calm anxiety (12:25), give good counsel (27:9), bring loving rebuke (27:5-6), enlighten (21:11), be sweet (16:21).
We as believers are called to “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
Before you speak, T.H.I.N.K. “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28).
T – Is it true? (Proverbs 8:7)
H – Is it harmful? (Proverbs 18:7)
I – Is it instructive? (Proverbs 9:9)
N – Is it necessary? (Proverbs 10:19)
K – Is it kind? (Proverbs 16:24)
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).
Pastor Jeff