The Power of Words

“It is not what enters one’s mouth that defiles the man; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one.” (Matthew 15:11) 

Our words are very powerful and we need to think before we speak. Scripture reminds us that although the tongue is small it is very powerful. “With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” (James 3:9-10) I am sure we have all intentionally said something hurtful to someone else, often times to those we love the most. Our emotions get the best of us and before we think, hurtful words are spewing out of our mouths. And once they are said, it is very difficult if not impossible to undo the pain we have caused. “A blow from a whip raises a welt, but a blow from the tongue smashes bones; many have fallen by the sword, but not as many as by the tongue.” (Sirach 28:17-18)

Our words can destroy relationships, lead others astray, and cause indescribable pain. And why is it that we often will believe a lie but not the truth? When we hear something bad about someone we often think, I would have never thought that about him. Well maybe we shouldn’t believe it. Maybe what we heard came from the mouth of someone who is jealous or angry. Maybe we should give the person the benefit of the doubt before we think less of them. We love to play judge and jury, condemning someone before we know the whole story. We believe someone is guilty unless they can prove they are innocent, and often times we still don’t believe them.

But just as our words can tear someone down, they can build someone up. We can make the most difficult situation more bearable with genuine words of kindness. Often times only a few words need to be spoken when speaking the truth. When Moses asked God what he should tell the people when they ask who sent him, God said to tell them, “I AM sent me to you.”  (Exodus 3:14) When Jesus was choosing his disciples he told them, “Come follow me.” And those few words were enough because they came from a reliable source who only speaks the Truth. Have you met people who can’t stop talking, yet they have nothing to say? They drive me crazy.

It takes discipline, prudence, charity and self-control to learn to bridle our tongues, but it is something we should all strive to master. "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Mother Teresa