Words are powerful. They can destroy and they can heal. They can discourage and they can lift someone up. It seems they can even make or break a life. At times, people will live out their life based upon what someone spoke to them years ago. It could have been the man who was told as a kid that he would never amount to anything. You may see him live out his life in failure because of the words that said “nobody believed in him”; therefore, he doesn’t believe in himself. Or on the other side, it could be words of inspiration to the young person that says, “You are an incredible person and I believe in you.” Watch how this young person will soar to greatness.
Our words have power and with that power we must use them wisely. Jesus showed us the power of words in Matthew 8:3-11,
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now WHAT DO YOU SAY? They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
“What do you say?”, Jesus was asked. At that moment his words could have brought death or life. The Pharisees’ words of accusation were bringing death to this woman and when faced with a choice, Jesus chose to bring life. He didn’t overlook the sin. He told her to leave her ways because he knew that it would destroy her but he offered her a life line.
How many times when faced with a choice in a particular situation do I choose words that will bring life or death?
WHAT WILL I SAY?
