What’s In A Word?

To go back even further, where did words originate?  There are a couple of theories I found:  1)  people originally began to imitate sounds around them (animals, birds, nature) which then turned into words, or 2) people began by making gestures (pointing, making faces) to communicate, developing a sign language of sorts which developed into sounds that accompanied the gestures.  At least, that’s what some scholars believe, but in the absence of words, there was nothing written to verify that so we can only guess.    🙂

Languages have always been interesting to me.  Some seem easier to learn than others.  Had I not been raised to speak English, I would have found it difficult because some of it doesn’t make sense.  Know/no.  Both sound alike.  I read the paper every day.  I read the paper yesterday.  What sense does that make?  Just a couple of confusing examples.  Nonetheless, every language has idiosyncrasies along with its slang and its disgusting terms that seem to be the most popular of all in regard to usage.

Then, there are certain words that, although they aren’t swear words, are still offensive to many.  Many are insulting to someone based on race or color or creed or nationality.   Even politics can bring out some nasty diatribes and expressions.

I don’t know the translation in any other language, but one word that seems particularly offensive in our language is the word sin.  Whenever the word is used, people seem to recoil.  Good.  It’s meant to be offensive.  Because it’s meant to convict – to make people stop and consider where they have offended the God who made them and gave them life.  If we don’t come to terms with who we are and what our nature is and then come to the Lord humbly to accept responsibility for our sins (as offensive as the word may be), we will miss out on knowing Him and His love and forgiveness.

But, how about beyond that?  Remember the expression:  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”?  That may have seemed like a cute saying when we were kids but, unfortunately, it’s not true.  Words can hurt and words can heal.  Which do you want yours to do?  We’ve all been on the receiving end of both so we know our preference.

Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Do you want to tear down or build up?

James 3 speaks of the tongue as a “restless evil and full of deadly poison” continuing on “from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing.”  (v. 8, 10)  But, Proverbs 16:24 tells us “pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”  Our challenge is to control our tongues.  To pick and choose our words carefully, knowing they have an impact on the hearer – sometimes in ways we cannot imagine at the time.

Jesus shared truth with people.  He didn’t mince words.  If they needed to recognize sin, He didn’t pretend it wasn’t there.  But, His words were always intended to bring someone to the point of being built up – not destroyed.

May we recognize the importance of our words and use them wisely and for good.

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.”  (Proverbs 25:11)