Wielding the Power

At the start of many home renovations, you begin with a process of demolition. You pull out your hammer and drills and begin to tear out the pieces of the project that need replacing. What’s interesting is that once the demo is done, those very same tools are used to build the project. The same hammer that was used for destruction can be used to craft a beautiful work of art. That’s the thing about tools. They can be used for building up and for tearing down. It’s all about how you wield them.

The same is true for the words we choose. They are a tool that can be used to build up or to tear down. King Solomon was granted wisdom and discernment from God. With that wisdom he wrote many proverbs that were recorded in Scripture. Many of those proverbs center around the words used toward another. Solomon wrote that from a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:23-24 NLT). Kind words become like honey for the soul because death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21a ESV).

There is power in our words and it’s our calling as followers of Jesus to use them wisely and honestly. Wisdom can be seen in honest conversations with brothers and sisters. Those we trust because iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17 NIV). We have the ability to build people up and push them deeper in their journey of faith or to push them away feeling hurt. It’s in the power of the words we choose. The wisdom from God we seek before we use them…

This very day, you will have many opportunities to use your words. In our interactions with the people who cross our paths — family, friends, co-workers or complete strangers — we can utter words that instill hope, wholeness and courage to others. Or our statements can kill — dashing dreams, crushing confidence and dragging someone’s spirit down. Whether we are speaking face-to-face, talking on the phone or even using our digital tongues in a comment thread or text message, remember this: Our words are powerful, and they have consequences. Will your words be a weapon of demolition or a wonderful tool that creates something of beauty (Karen Ehman, Proverbs 31 Ministries).

The tools at your disposal can demolish or create. Let’s use them today to build … not to break. To bless … not to badger. To praise … not to pounce (Karen Ehman, Proverbs 31 Ministries). How you use those tools is your choice. How will you wield them today?