For several years, our nation has been involved in a war centered around weapons of mass destruction that were never found. It was terrifying to consider a cache of deadly weapons ready to destroy any of our major cities without a moment’s notice. We slept with one eye open and ears cocked for the warning to take shelter that never came. Yet, for centuries, the Bible has warned believers of a destructive weapon to which we all have access.

James 3:6 tells us that no man can tame the tongue, that the tongue is a fire, and a world of iniquity that defiles the whole body and that sets afire the course of nature.

Like many others, I have spouted words that I deeply regret and wish I could take back. During my high school years, a boy named Gordon paid me special attention and repeatedly asked me to dance during social dancing class. His best friend Kenny also paid me special attention.

One evening, I was surprised to receive a rare telephone call from Kenny who after some small talk, asked me what I thought of Gordon – would I ever consider going out with him? “That jerk? Oh no! Not if he was the last boy alive!” was my thoughtless reply. One can imagine how embarrassed and ashamed I was to discover that I had actually been speaking to Gordon himself, using this tactic as a means to discover how I felt about him.
I have heard of a young girl who committed suicide in reaction to ugly slander and deceitful lies about her that were being spread around her small town. A young boy’s heart-broken by thoughtless words, a young girl’s life ended by ugly slander.

So much revolves around what we say. I’ve heard that a child who lives with criticism becomes critical of others. That is why I absorb the words of God as much as possible at church and through Bible study so that I can be a better mother, wife and loving family member. Living a distance away from the loved ones I grew up with makes it difficult to keep them aware of my love and concern for them. So I try to express my love through letters, cards and phone calls that always end with “love you.”

I heard of a man,who in a heated argument with a friend, told him to “drop dead!” How shocked and regretful he was, and how he wished he could take back those words when before his eyes his friend keeled over dead with a heart attack brought on by the excitement.
Christ’s words were always spoken in love, wisdom and with forethought.
Words can promote healing and comfort, words can wound, and words can kill.
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If only we could always think before we speak and if only we could stay close enough to Christ so that our words would be reflections of His.

His Words

My Saviour’s words
Bring healing and comfort
My Saviour’s words bring life
I seek his words to show me the way to be a good mother and wife
My Saviour’s words offer wisdom
Words of love and direction
And because his words are reflections of God
My Saviour speaks words of perfection

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