Community Church Sermons
September 17, 2006
Psalm 19 & James 3:1-12
R. Tim Meadows, Ph.D.
In her recent presentation to our Church St. & Main St. event, columnist Ina Hughs said something that shocked me. She said “ About twenty years ago, I learned the power of words.” The shocking part of this statement to me, which Ina confessed, was that at the point of this important discovery she had already been writing professionally for a number of years. She further suggested that a part of the power of words is their ability to do great good or great harm.
Ina is correct; words do possess the potential to do great good or great harm. This potential is why James wrote to the church about the control of the tongue, and why the Psalmist pled with God to guide his words and thoughts.
All this month, Marty and I have been attempting to describe for you what Healthy Christianity looks like. What we find in today’s discussion is that Healthy Christians speak Healthy Words, because healthy words are beneficial to God’s work in our world. What are some of the benefits of healthy words?
I. Healthy Words Promote Learning: James reminded teachers of their awesome responsibility toward those they teach. Since a teacher’s primary tool is the spoken word, teachers must carefully choose their words to promote learning. Can you remember a teacher’s words that have impacted your life? Are you a teacher who used words to promote learning in the life of a student? The judgment of the value of any teacher’s words comes in the repetition of the words or ideas, in the lives of the one’s taught. Ask yourself the question; If a student were to repeat my words or ideas, would they bring harm or goodness to the world? Healthy Christians speak Healthy Words That Promote Learning!
II. Healthy Words Prevent Destruction: We’ve all heard and perhaps spoken the old yarn about sticks and stones and words, but we know that it is not true. The power of words to bring destruction is why James is so insistent that we control the tongue. Every destructive act in our world begins with a word. A word spoken in anger, in hate, in envy, or simply carelessly, but a word that results in great harm. Healthy Christians carefully choose words that give life, rather than words that give offense. Healthy Christians remember the admonition of Grandma to say something nice, or not say anything at all. Healthy Christians speak the truth, but they strive to speak the truth in love. Ask yourself the question; What do my words accomplish? Building up the world in which I live, or tearing it down? Healthy Christians speak Healthy Words That Prevent Destruction!
III. Healthy Words Please God: The Psalmist prayed that his words and his thoughts would be acceptable to God, because if this were true, then he knew that his resulting actions would please God. Healthy Christians strive for this goal with all of their speech. Ask yourself the question; If I were holding daily face-to-face conversations with God, would god be pleased with my conversation? Healthy Christians speak Healthy Words That Please God!
A KEY TO SPEAKING HEALTHY WORDS
1. Recognize the Power of Words: They will either be positive or negative. Words spoken are never neutral.
2. Choose your Words Carefully: Because once they are spoken they cannot be retracted, and we can never be exactly certain of how others will receive or react to them.
3. Speak your Words Clearly and Kindly: Because truth spoken in love never has to be apologized for later.
Speaking healthy words is a constant challenge for you and me, but a challenge which when met, will make a difference in our lives and in our world.