Words are very powerful.
Both life and death are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21). The things we “say” are extremely significant.
“SAY What?”
From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Speech is simply the overflow of the heart. I’ve heard it put this way, “What’s in the well comes up in the bucket.” Words are the most accurate index of a person’s character. What a person “says” about others really says more about them than the person they talk about.
“To SAY the least”
Sparing one’s words is the mark of wisdom. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace: and he that keeps his mouth closed is deemed intelligent (see Prov. 17:28). There is a time speak, but there are more times not to speak. Keep most of what you know to yourself. A prudent man conceals knowledge (Prov. 12:23).
“Need I SAY more?”
There is occasionally a time to speak, but there are many times to say nothing.
Saying less is an acquired skill. The mouth of fools pour out folly (Prov. 15:2). Most times you can actually say more by saying less. Say what needs to be said… ONCE. Too much elaboration causes exasperation. Make your words count by refusing to recount every unnecessary detail, and avoid redundancy. Running off at the mouth excessively makes people want to run away from you! Limit your verbiage.
“Needless to SAY”
“A fool is… full of words” (Eccl. 10:14). Multiplying words is faulty arithmetic. People who talk too much lack wisdom. Back in elementary school, students took a “report card” home each month. My teacher made the same “comment” repeatedly, “Harold talks too much in class.” OUCH!
“SAY no more.”
“There are some people that if they don’t know, you can’t tell them,” said Louis Armstrong. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all. There is occasionally a time to speak, but there are many times to say nothing. Stop explaining yourself to your enemies. It will not change their opinion. And your friends don’t need, or want an explanation.
If you answer a fool according to his folly, you are just like him (Prov. 26:4). So don’t waste your words on people who don’t have ears to hear. If someone has earned your silence, pay them accordingly!
“SAY that again!”
Words of encouragement are always appropriate. “I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” (Isa. 50:4). One man said, “I am going to spend the rest of my life encouraging people.” Another said, “A pat on the back, though only a few inches removed from a kick in the pants, is miles ahead in results.” Words are powerful tools to exhort and encourage others. Be intentional in thanksgiving. And be generous in compliments. Lifting words can lift sinking hearts.
“What SAY you?”
Every conversation has an appropriate tone. And the way we “say” is just as important as “what” we say. The manner must parallel the matter. Consistency and synchronization presents a holistic message, which is the heart of integrity.
Clear-cut communication is desperately needed. Good hearts birth good words. Evil hearts bring forth evil. The mouth speaks from the spillover of the heart (Luke 6:45).
Code language is the consequence of fearfulness and weakness. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Don’t be afraid of stating your beliefs and convictions. Stand up. Speak out, and fly your flag. Give the “thought police” a fit!
Instead of caving to moral cowardice, be forthright. Enough of this schizophrenic approach and fragmented approach.
“I’d SAY.”
There are many things in life over which we have no choice. But our words are our choices. As God’s Word takes root in our hearts, it impacts the words that proceed from our lips. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). The Proverb tells us to apply our hearts to wisdom, and our ears to the words of knowledge. (Prov. 23:12). Words of wisdom greatly influence our words.
“That SAYS it all.”
Concise word choices are powerful. The tongue is like a rudder on a boat, and a bridle in a horse’s mouth. This “little member” gives direction, and determines outcomes (James 3:2-6). So be judicious in what YOU SAY.
Harold Vaughan
