Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Mar. 16, 2012

“Healthy Words”
“My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words...for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.” – Proverbs 4:20, 22

Christianity Today ran an article sometime back that featured an interview that associate editor, Philip Yancey conducted with the chief of staff at one of the largest Psychiatric hospitals in the United States. The purpose of the interview and article was to show the effects of using the Bible in working with a person’s mental health issues. At one point of the interview the psychologist said, “In my research I can trace the cause of the majority of those suffering with mental illness back to bitterness as a result of unresolved conflict with someone from their past. Most notably, a remark made by a parent or friend that was allowed to remain fixed with that individual’s mind and life. In my opinion, we could reduce the number of those currently hospitalized with mental health issues in half simply by getting them to forgive those who hurt them.” Quite a statement! Solomon calls God’s words—health for the person’s entire body!! That encompasses body, mind and soul. That is pretty good food. And just as powerful as God’s words are—consider how strong our words can be.
The "fruit" of our lips is words, and words can go to work the minute they are said. But once said you can never get them back again. They become part of the changeless past. When good words go to work, however, they bring happiness and help people, but the unkind ones bring heartache and sorrow.
Chances are you've a right to be angry over some things that have been said to you at meetings, at work or at home. Sometimes you may want to shed hot tears, shove things around, or run away from everything. But hold on hopefully for the words of your God are written in the Bible to help you grow in grace and earn the beattitude of self-control.
Word's aren't something you can fool around with. Words aren't just sounds—mad sounds, glad sounds, or blah sounds. Words are living things and they last!!
Every word that you have ever said has lasted. It has lasted as a warm and gentle comfort to a friend or relative who needed comfort badly, or it has lasted as a scar whose venom has blown out of all proportion to the original cause and made an enemy for you.
If there is still any doubt in your heart about what words can do then consider these things: Once brushed aside, can you mend the strands of the spider's web? So it is with words. After a shower can you make the sun shine through the beads of rain-drops of the trees? Perhaps not, but you can light up a life by the beauty of your chosen words.
Wherever you may go, take with you only the best words: Living words, strong-winged, beautiful words of hope and good cheer and praise to God. Words that are kind at heart and understanding. Take with you gentle words. Try gentle words in anger, for gentle words turn away wrath. Your word is the only thing you can keep and give away at the same time. They are living things and they last!
One of my favorite verses is from the book of Ephesians. In it the Apostle Paul writes: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (4:29)
We truly need more building and less tearing down in our world!
Pastor J. T. Carnell