What We Say Echoes Through Time

EPHESIANS 4 v 25-32

How much of what I say affects people?
I remember about 3.5 years ago I preached on these verses and back then they had a totally different meaning. I focused more on the unwholesome talk and if I was to be a good witness to my friends, I needed to not use or associate myself with bad language. Now I am seeing a new deeper meaning to it in my situation now, I still think my original understanding was correct but I now apply it to a leadership situation. It challenges me in the way I - inspire, challenge and encourage my team and the young people I lead. It also challenges me in everything I say in front of them and otherwise. What kind of attitude and character am I portraying through my speech?

Paul also talks about speech and the way we use it in Colossians 3 v 8 - "But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Paul talks about the way we speak and what we say in most of his letters, James really hammers down hard on the power of our words, James 3 v 3-6 - "³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James truly emphasises the power of words but this plays out both ways... the general perception of what James is saying is negative - saying negative can bread bitterness and hate. But saying hope and encouragement over people’s lives can expand the same - saying you can do it to someone could change their whole life and what they do with their life.

Yes none of this stops me from challenging people because I am challenging for the benefit of others and the hurt this person may cause but also so that they don't have the same problem three months later. It all stems from whether I just want less hindrance from that person or whether I am committed to grow them.

"Nip it in the bud."

The question is - what am I sparking with my words?