Not sure if anyone has seen or heard about this movie called “A thousand words” with Eddie Murphy in it. It is a movie about a fast-talking agent named Jack McCall who uses whatever words he can gather to sell his deal. He meets a guru Dr. Sinja who recognizes the type of person he is. A magical tree appears in Jack’s backyard and now he is connected to the tree and the leaves. Every time he says a word, a leaf falls from the tree. He has exactly a thousand words left on the tree and when the last leaf drops, Jack will die. It is a story to remind us that our words do matter.
We can see in James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Our words/tongue have much power and can cause harm or lift others up. The tongue is made of all muscle, is flexible and does not fatigue. It is not the strongest in the body even though some say it is. When was the last time you conversed with another person and your tongue became tired from talking?
Let us look at how powerful the tongue can be in our current world. I am sure many of us are glued to the TV and hearing what is going on in the news. We are hoping to hear good news every day and praying to God the pandemic will pass. We hear from Presidents, Doctors, Financial advisors, Military, Governors etc. about their plans, hopes, ideas, theories and goals. These words that are spoken by them can either give us peace and hope or can cause more anxiety and fear. Their words have significant meaning to the world. Jesus doesn’t care about politics or the world’s rule, all he wants from us is spreading his words, being an example to the world and using our words for good. Only God’s words can give us true comfort and peace!
We can see how powerful even simple words can conquer death itself. When we look at John 11, we see Lazarus a close friend of Jesus had died. In verse 4 Jesus says “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Jesus comforts Martha and Mary and states in verse 25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus comes to the tomb and in verse 43 says 3 simple words, “Lazarus, come out.” Just like that Jesus triumphs over death with those simple words and Lazarus has returned from the dead.
An example of where not speaking and disobeying God caused a person to lose blessings. Moses is the prime example of how his words could have allowed him to enter into the promise land. We can see in Numbers 20 that the Israelites ran out of water and murmuring against Moses. God appeared to Moses and told him to take his staff and gather everyone together. Then the Lord told him to “speak” to the rock before the people and it will bring water out of the rock for everyone to drink. Moses took the staff and instead of speaking to the rock he struck it twice and water gushed out. Instead of using his words to magnify God’s power in front of his people he disobeyed God and was punished by not being allowed to enter the Promised Land. A simple thing as just speaking to the rock would have caused a great miracle to be witnessed by the people.
Our words should not be used to blame God, speak hypocritically, discriminate, lead others away from God, boast, swearing or blaspheming. Our words should be used to praise God, lift others up, pray to God for wisdom, peace, healing, wisdom, redemption, to sing and witness the Lord. The Holy Spirit can help us tame the tongue and the words we speak. Proverbs 21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. We need to dedicate our heart, mind and tongue to the Lord. In Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. There’s always a saying I followed that if you are talking, you can’t possibly be listening. Our words should have purpose and intention. We should think before we utter our words as they have power in the name of Jesus. In Psalms 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. Taste the words in your mouth before speaking them! The Holy Spirit brings change into our hearts and that will be seen in every aspect of our lives, I think especially in our words. We need to use our words to glorify and sing the wonderous name of Jesus to the nations.
Our words do matter in this life and we may not know when our last ones will be spoken. Don’t waste time complaining, gossiping but rather asking God for forgiveness, speak words that encourage, comfort and inspire. Ephesians 4:29 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.
We live in uncertain times, now more than ever. We are being attacked by an unseen force that we know God has control over. We spend time now more than ever with our family and some still have to go into work. No one knows when our last words will be, unlike Jack in the movie. He realized the power of his words and asked the Doctor how to end the curse. The guru tells him he must make peace with all his relationships. What touched me more than anything is that the last few words he had, he used to say, “I forgive you.” He forgave his father who abandoned him when he was a kid and the last leaf fell. Of course, in the movie he breaks the curse and becomes a new man. Our lives are not movies and the last word we speak only God knows. He will judge us according to our words and actions and if we lived as an example of righteousness/godliness to the world. Wake up and choose the words we speak to our loved ones, our co-workers, our friends and prepare as if tomorrow is not promised, because now more than ever it is not! As long as we are Alive and Breathing continue to Praise the Lord! (Matt Maher “Alive and Breathing” a song that can uplift your spirit)
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