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Your Words Matter

Read: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare” (Proverbs 15:1).

Think: “Your Words Matter.” This sentence was on a large sign in the front of my classroom for many years. I was an English teacher who wanted to convey the importance of using words well, in written or verbal form. Another sign in my classroom seemed to shout with the words, “Say It Better!” - a reminder to STOP! Think about what you want to say and be aware that there may be a better, more excellent way to communicate your thoughts. This past year was disheartening. I found myself wishing there were a way to display these classroom signs in homes and churches throughout America. People, who professed to be Christ-followers, were uttering harsh words that made tempers flare, as opposed to giving gentle answers that deflected anger. Even when speaking truth, attempting to represent Jesus, many Christians used their words in ways that failed to communicate the love of Christ. May we never forget that when Jesus was on earth, He spoke truth in love! He never failed to communicate His love for others while simultaneously speaking truth. The Apostle Paul also stressed the importance of loving communication. He told Christians at Ephesus to, “…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29). Thankfully, I also witnessed this type of communication last year, and what a difference! I watched people show love through soft answers that deflected anger with good, helpful and encouraging words. Carefully chosen words truly mattered and were received quite differently. Relationships grew and unity developed among people whose speech was seasoned with grace, using God-directed words, that were spoken with wisdom and love in an effort to “Say It Better!”

Apply: Can you remember a time when a conversation ended badly due to harsh words that were uttered? Think about the places where communicating a soft answer is challenging… your home, your church, your workplace, or your community. How often do you stop to ask the Father for help in communicating a clear message laced with love, prior to speaking to others?

Pray: Father, help me use my words to represent you well. At times my flesh leaps before your Spirit, and I fail to communicate love with soft answers that reflect your heart. Help me to be bold in speaking truth and loving in the way I communicate it. Thank you for the example of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

(Tammy Shondelmyer and her husband Clint have 3 adult children, an added daughter and son-in-law, and 2 grandchildren who make them grateful for the gift of FaceTime! Tammy is currently serving as Director of Next Generation Ministries at Pequea Baptist Church  in Gap, PA.)