USING WORDS WISELY

I think it’s interesting when we study Scripture that we never hear of Jesus having frivolous conversations. Didn’t Jesus talk about the things that matter in life, like repentance, loving others, obedience to God, and helping others? When Jesus spoke, He shared words of wisdom and encouragement.

I saw this acrostic, which I believe sums up Jesus’ life with the words He shared.

 

 

It is also a great reminder about the importance of using our words wisely and to think before we talk. Our words should have a positive impact on others’ lives rather than a negative impact.

 

Jesus’ words were true.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  –John 14:6  (NIV) 

Jesus always spoke the truth to encourage and inspire our faith journeys. He said that He came from God, the Father, and that the only way to God is through Him. Indeed, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.   

Jesus’ words were helpful.

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.  –Matthew 19:21-22  (NIV)

Jesus’ preaching was always helpful, both to His original disciples and to each one of us 2000 years later. In this verse, Jesus was talking to a rich, young man who had obeyed the Ten Commandments throughout his life. Jesus was trying to help the man have treasure in heaven which required him to go sell all he had. Sadly, the man was not willing to do that.

Jesus’ words were inspiring.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  –Matthew 28:19-20  (NIV)

How inspiring these words were for His disciples, whom He sent out to preach the good news of Jesus to the whole world. They apply to us and our lives of sharing the good news too. The ultimate gift is the privilege of knowing that, with Jesus in heaven, the Holy Spirit is with us all and guides us.  

Jesus’ words were necessary.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  –Matthew 22:36-37  (NIV)

God sent Jesus to earth to teach us about true love. Jesus displayed true love by dying on the cross for our sins. He sacrificed His own life for ours. Jesus lived daily, loving everyone unconditionally despite their sinful lives. We all benefit from Jesus’ example and the words He shared.

 

Photo courtesy of Church Iglesia under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

Jesus’ words were kind.

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.  In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”  They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.  Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  –John 8:3-11  (NIV)

In this passage, notice the kindness in Jesus’ words, both to the teachers of the law, the Pharisees, and the adulteress. He asked more open-ended questions to get the people to think about their actions, which inspired them to change. Jesus did not condemn them but loved, encouraged, and helped them see the error of their ways.

 

Let us heed Jesus’ words about the parallel between trees and our words:

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.  You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  –Matthew 12:33-37  (NIV)

Jesus talks of how good trees produce good fruit while bad trees produce bad fruit. We can see the condition of a tree by seeing its fruit. Jesus warns us that the fruit of our hearts will be known through what we speak. How important for us to know that we each will give an account on the day of judgment for the words we have spoken.

 

Photo courtesy of Leonard J Matthews under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Reflection:

What did someone say to you that inspired you?
What word in the acrostic do you need to work on?

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.  –Ephesians 4:29  (NIV)