Words…I love words…word puzzles, words from a random mix of letters, “Scrabble”, “Hang Man”, “Wordle”, “WordPlay”…words. I like words because they help to build your vocabulary as well as aid in the ability to convey what you are thinking…what’s on your heart. This blog is made up of words. Without words, it is a blank page.

Think about it, we may be able to speak, but speaking is just a sound without words. Words can be used to compliment, encourage, build up, or tear down. There are words to express condolence, endearment, kindness, sympathy…words. There are words that leave you angry,, confused, belittled…words. There are words that condemn and judge. What then are words? “Words” are (units of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that function as a principal carrier of meaning). Words spoken, however, are not always true.

If you are reading this and asking ‘what’s the point’? The point is what can happen to you as a result of words spoken to you as a child over and over again…words that become the clothes you wear. In this case, I mean the negative words, if not careful, you will wear to your grave. This is especially true when the words are from a parent. For some reason, a parent’s words can be more riveting than words from others. There are many walking around today like zombies unable to function or do anything to improve themselves because they are wearing the words of death spoken to them over and over again by a parent. (Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.) Proverbs 18:21 ESV

I heard “You won’t never mount to nothing” from my mother over and over and over again. As grammatically incorrect the statement is, these words stung and there is no doubt what was meant by them. (…”How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”). Matthew 12:34 ESV The words meant….Surely not a life better than the one I am giving you. Surely not encouragement to keep trying no matter how hard it is. Surely not a compliment of any kind in any form or fashion.…nothing but tear down…”You won’t never mount to nothing”. Even as I write this, I believe a lot of what my mother said to me was due to the relationship (or whatever happened) between her and my biological father. It is easy to wear the negative words spoken to you over and over again…you simply stop trying…moving aimlessly through life with very little thought about the future…living for the here and now no matter what it looks like. Why bother. The death sentence has already been spoken.

I didn’t accept the negative words because away from home the words spoken to me were totally different. The compliments (not about how I looked, but how smart I was), the encouragement from others, my teachers saying, “we expect more from you” was the motivation and incentive for me to do better. (“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”). Ephesians 2:10 ESV I didn’t know this passage of Scripture then, but I knew God was my only hope. I literally had no one else. “Jesus, Lord, please help me.” This plea for help may have come from the song we sang in church, ‘Oh Lord I want you to help me. Help me on my journey, help me on my way, Oh Lord I want you to help me.’ Simple words we sang over and over again…believing with certainty God would indeed help.

I am a living witness!!! You do not have to wear or become the negative words spoken to you. The future and plans God has for your life are not predicated by your past or the negative words spoken to you by your mother or anyone else. You can choose to live a life of words that are filled with love, joy, peace, kindness faithfulness, goodness, gentleness and self control… life giving words!! It takes courage, a strong will, resolve and God to understand what Jesus said, (“The thief [the devil] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.) John 10:10 ESV. The thief has no new tricks and will whisper the same death words spoken to you to steal, kill and destroy you in the end. Scripture tells us to “resist him and he will flee”.

Words are the way of life. We need them to communicate…be they written or spoken. They convey the thought and meaning behind every action we choose…emotionally, financially, physically, spiritually. As such, it behooves us to choose our words wisely and carefully. Think before we speak. Yes…that can be difficult at times. I too am guilty. Inasmuch as you can apologize for words used, you never know the affect they will have on the person on the receiving end…how they will wear them? Did you speak life or death? We are reminded in Scripture the importance of thinking before we speak at all times.

Jesus said… (“…I tell you on the day of judgment people will give account of 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 ESV

I end this week’s blog with a passage from Psalm 19 recited at the end of every church service when I was growing up…(“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight O Lord, my rock and my redeemer”). Psalm 19:14 ESV

As you interact with others, no matter the occasion, the platform, take every opportunity to speak life.

Vivian