In one of my English classes we watched a film about language. I thought it would be very boring, but something caught my attention. In the film it was said that language is “powerful” and “dangerous”, because it allows you “to plant a thought from your mind directly into someone else’s mind”.
I started to think about my own life and what kind of language I use. Are my words “powerful” or “dangerous”? What kind of thoughts have I been ”planting” in those around me, especially the young children I am often with?
While watching the film, I decided that I never want to use cold, harsh, or thoughtless words that may create fear, doubt, guilt, and insecurity. I want to use words of praise, help, and comfort that bring confidence, faith, and peace. I want to have a pure thought-life, so the thoughts I share with others are only good.
Righteous words
A class that is usually not so interesting became very helpful to me. I have a new goal, and that is that my life will be as is written in Proverbs 8:8 (GNT), “Everything I say is true; nothing is false or misleading.” But how can this become more than just a goal or just something I want to do? My words are often harsher than I want them to be. Sometimes words come out of my mouth that I am really sorry about afterwards, and there are days I feel like I am full of negative thoughts.
I’ve experienced that without help it is impossible to be completely truthful with my words and in my thoughts. But I’ve also experienced that there really is help! Jesus is my example and helper, and my goal to be completely truthful is becoming a reality!
When He was on earth, Jesus received help from God to say and do only the good. “While Jesus lived on earth, he prayed to God and asked God for help. He prayed with loud cries and tears … And because his obedience was perfect, he was able to give eternal salvation to all who obey him.” Hebrews 5:7,9 (NCV). It’s written that He was heard because of His Godly fear.
With this same Godly fear and a need and cry in my heart, I can receive the same help from Jesus that He received from His heavenly Father! Then I can learn to do what is written in the Bible, like being “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19, CEB) and “speaking the truth with love” (Ephesians 4:15, NCV).
“I will give you the wisdom to know what to say …” Luke 21:15 (CEV).