I have never truly taken much time to consider the weight words carry and the potential impact, until recently.
Last spring I remember discussing the impact of words on children with someone; that words become imbedded within their sense of identity. Nicknames, terms of endearment, words of admonishment and frustration, and labels remain with a child forever. My own childhood nickname has stuck with me and I still embrace it: Nerd. I learned to read at a young age and so I had my nose in a book whenever I could!
But words in childhood can also negatively impact a child. While it is difficult to not compare your children, it is even harder when you children are so distinctly different. My sister, Denise, and I could not be more opposite in personality, appearances, and temperament. Not that either is better, they're just different. And so it is very easy to note the differences.
Unfortunately, a byproduct of such comparison (for me) was that I was somehow inferior to her because people remarked how pretty she was. So if people thought she was pretty and we looked nothing alike, logically, I am not pretty. To quote a good friend: "Please don't hear what I'm NOT saying." My family did NOT EVER say that she was prettier or better than me. EVER. It was just how my mind and tender heart received the information. My parents were always affirming and loving and told me how special I was (and they STILL do!). To this day, I am sensitive to being compared to other women.
TANGENT! Taking this 'weight of words' on a different tack...I have most recently become aware of it in regards to social media as well. I consistently see posts about politics, faith, ethics, and so much more on Facebook and it's made me consider how I use this medium.
Why am I using it? What are my goals? Is it really that important for me to weigh in on every matter that comes up? Is this a hill worth dying for? Are my political views so important to me that it’s worth alienating people I care about? Is this particular ethical issue important enough for me to weigh in on? Am I brave enough to use this medium to stand up for my faith, knowing that I will alienate or offend someone? I don’t really have answers for these questions b/c it changes every day and for each issue.
Which leads me to matters of faith. The longer I am sitting under the instruction of tried and trusted theologians, scholars, and professors, the more I realize how little I actually do know of the Bible. This is especially poignant for me as I taught the Bible for almost 15 years. Now I know I never preached or taught outright heresy, but several things were not exactly on the mark.
The weight of that responsibility has become all too clear to me now. James talks about this...
"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly...
the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts...
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom...
the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (vs 1, 5, 13, 17)
As I prayerfully consider what God's call is for my life now and after seminary, I am "haunted" by the weight of my education as I speak into people's lives. With the knowledge I have gained, there is greater responsibility:
Yeah, I went there! Because it's so true! The word of God is a powerful thing and even a rudimentary knowledge of it carries with it a sense of responsibility.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12
This is not to be taken lightly. As my husband strives to get people to understand, "Words have meaning." If I truly desire for teenagers to know Christ, then my actions should demonstrate that desire.
If I truly desire to share the Gospel with them and encourage them to study the Bible more deeply, then my own study should reflect that behavior. A quick glance before a program does not do service to them or to God. I owe it to teenagers to do my research thoroughly and present them with a well-rounded view of a passage. That opportunity may be the first or only time they get to hear the word of God and THAT MATTERS.
If I truly desire to demonstrate the love of Christ, then my words...ALL OF MY WORDS...should reflect that desire.
This does not mean that I have to back down from my personal opinions or not defend my faith. It does mean that I should follow Christ's in example in doing so: with respect and the desire to bring people to God. If I am unable to do so, then I have no business weighing in on the discussion.
If my words cannot reflect Christ, then I have no business uttering them; regardless of the topic.
Words have meaning!
