He Changed Me

Words can cause us to erupt into laughter, break down into tears, fly into a rage, sink into despair, or float on clouds of happiness. When used against you, the enormous power of words can defeat your common sense, twist your thinking and control your behavior. Words are being used to invoke compassion and pity, fear and guilt, exploit love and loyalty, defeat with ridicule and humiliation, manipulate needs, desires and beliefs, obfuscate, misdirect and much more. Pretty strong stuff, wouldn’t you say? Yet, that’s only the beginning, for the words we use do more than describe the events we experience and actions we take; they determine their outcomes. What I am today is the result of the words I have used. What I will become and experience tomorrow, depends on the words I use today.

The words we use can block our progress or clear the path to success and happiness. They can deprive us of personal power or release it. Words are potent. They are infused with a divine spark. They are a gift from God — tools, which are used to create our reality. Their significance is hinted at in verse one, chapter one, in the Gospel of John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote, "Words — so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become, in the hands of one who knows how to combine them!" The important point is that words are powerful and because we use them, we are powerful. But unless we are aware of their power and their proper usage, the power may mistakenly be used distructively.

Can you see how the words you use shape you and create your environment? Can you feel the enormous power locked into words? Don’t take your words lightly. Become aware of them and use them to empower you and those around you. Don’t allow a poor choice of words strip you of your unlimited potential. I have learned much over the past month about how words can really effect your life. There is life and death in your words, so choose them wisely!! You would never want to cause conflict and pain to someone. As Christians, we are to use our words to encourage and life one another up....that is what Christ wants us to do, however, He gave us the ability to think and make decisions for ourselves, so the words you choose are up to you. One day, you will be held accountable for your actions.....but also for your words.

What would you have to say for yourself?