Power of Words

A dab of olive oil shimmers in the bottom of the pan as if in anticipation of what is to come. When slices of fragrant yellow onion hit the oil, it seems to dance in delight around it. Next, cubes of green squash slide in with the onions and they swim together, combining their aromas as the oil bath tints them to a delicate brown. A shower of sea salt raining down on them serves to enhance the flavors. As the two reach the peak of perfection, chunks of portabella mushroom join them. The heat from the pan and oil start to work immediately on the tender pieces of baby bella, chunks, rather than slices so each bite renders a burst of the earthy flavors in your mouth. Quickly, two fresh eggs, gently beaten and slowly poured over the tantalizing bits of vegetables reduce the sizzle of the pan in a sigh of submission. As the eggs slowly surrender to the heat of the veggies within, they turn from their liquid state to a soft pillow that now cradles the veggies lovingly. Slivers of smoked Gouda placed on top next. No match for the heat, the smoky cheese smoothly melts into the mixture. A gentle turn of the spatula places one-half on top the other before sliding it out of the pan and onto a waiting red plate. It's time has come…..

As the words in the paragraph moved on, could you picture each action as it happened? Could you smell the sauté of the onions, see the cubes of green squash and chunks of baby bella mushrooms? Did your mouth respond in anticipation at the thought of the smoky Gouda? Words paint pictures in our minds, elicit emotions and sometimes take our thoughts to places they, perhaps, should not go.

I was describing making my omelet for breakfast. It was awesome, by the way! Every statement made was true and accurate. However, had I simply listed the ingredients and wrote out the cooking instructions, it would have read quite differently; it would have been a recipe. Now, you could reproduce the omelet from what I originally wrote as easily as following a recipe but the word images in your mind would be vastly different.

I said all that to say this; words are powerful and we should always be attentive to how we use them. In my morning Bible reading, I was struck with how often it addressed the words of our mouth. Here are but a few examples….'make my words known to you', 'receive my words', 'from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding', 'those who speak deceitfully', 'smooth talk', 'incline your ear to my words', 'keep crooked speech from your mouth', 'banish deceit from your lips', 'snared by the words of your mouth', 'my words are right', and 'my mouth says what is true'.

The Bible is ripe with verses regarding our words. For example from the NASB in Matthew 12:33-37 Words Reveal Character "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. "You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Proverbs 18:20-21 With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 6:12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a perverse mouth

Some people say hurtful things and try to whitewash it by saying they were only kidding, just joking, or teasing. They are only kidding themselves if they believe anyone will buy that! Words can be a soothing suave to the wounded or like a stabbing knife. Words spoken in anger rarely pass through the conscience before doing damage. Soft words are healing when sincere but soft words used to deceive carry the same consequence as harsh words.Words of love carry much weight, especially to the sad of heart.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Choose your words carefully, Friends, 'For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.' What is your heart saying?