WORDS

WORDS

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold/In settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11

2020 was a difficult and unsettling year, which included a pandemic and a divisive national election. Harsh rhetoric and half-truths stirred up anger and strife, even among followers of Christ. There were days when I dreaded what I would see on social media or hear on the news. Even today, this is true.

I consider language a gift from God. Even when I disagree or find it necessary to speak bluntly, I can do it without devaluing another person with expletives or name-calling or gossip. When I write, I want my words to give hope and value to others. I also ask myself: “Do my words please God?”

“Let the words of my mouth

And the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14

As a fiction author, I enjoy using words. My word choices and the way I put them together matter if I want to communicate clearly with my readers. While I type out my words, I have time to think them through and check for spelling and grammar errors. I’ve discovered that pushing the “delete” button is sometimes a good choice when editing content.

I’m grateful for “edit” on Facebook posts when I type too fast and don’t read over my post before I hit “enter.” I’ve been told, however, that once you put something on the Internet, it hangs around in cyberspace, even after you delete it.

If you’re like me, you have memories of thoughtless words you’ve spoken that you wish you could erase permanently, or words spoken by others that wounded you. You can’t entirely wipe poor word choices from a listener’s mind or heart. When you knock someone down with name calling, or you use foul speech, you’ll probably leave a lasting impression, even after an apology.

The words I use and how I use them say a lot about me, including my cultural background, my education, where I live and with whom, my occupation or career, and the condition of my heart. I’m not always proud of what comes out of my mouth, and I’d be ashamed to have some of my thoughts read by others. Inner thoughts become written or spoken words, so the apostle Paul reminds us to think what is good and praiseworthy.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

The writer of the book of James compares the tongue to a fire. Even as a stray or careless spark can cause a wildfire, so one mean or thoughtless word can damage a reputation or destroy a life or ignite a feud.

“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” James 3:5

The following wise words from Proverbs come to my mind often. They’re a helpful reminder to me to use words that give life.

“A soft answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.”

“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Proverbs 15:1,2,4

May my words be wholesome and honor God.

Beth E Westcott