WORDS (arsonist or construction worker?)

Last Sunday (5-5-13) part of my sermon addressed the issue of the words that we use.  There is always more to say than there is time to say it, and as I moved through Sunday afternoon I was wishing I had been more urgent in my words around this topic of words.  So, here is my attempt to do just that.  I urge you to consider the weight of this issue.  Few things have as much potential for evil or for good as the words that we speak.

James 3:5-8 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Ever have a word arsonist step into your life? I sure have and I’m sure you have.  They come with matches ready to light and they are often strategic about where to set the flame so as to have maximum impact.  But sometimes they aren’t strategic; they’re just careless.  They don’t think about or plan to start a fire, but they toss matches around and things get torched. Words can be like that.  They have incredible power to burn us and to leave us feeling like burned out buildings – discouraged, hurt, confused, depressed, angry, hopeless,…

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ever have a construction worker step into your life? I have been blessed to have a number of these people in my life and I hope you have been also. At their best, these people come with all sorts of tools to build and fix and remodel. Their words come and build – encouragement, joy, hope, perspective, resolve, faith,…

What type of person am I?  What type of person are you? How would those who know us well or casually characterize us?  Are you an arsonist or a construction worker?  Do you leave behind ashes or strong buildings as you go through your day? 

Some of you are arsonists; you just are. And this is the area in which you need to pursue holiness with fear and trembling. This is no little matter, and I encourage you to give it very serious thought.  I hope you will be repulsed by the arsonist activity in your life, and I hope you will be drawn to working on your construction worker skills.  By the grace of God you can be a giver of grace! 

Some of you are construction workers.  I stand amazed at the skills that you bring and apply to the lives you touch.  Again, this is no little matter, and I encourage you to take joy in the way God is using you.  By the grace of God you are givers of grace.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.