“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!”

Really? Maybe I am alone, but as I look back on my life there is little truth in that sentiment. My deepest wounds have been the result of words spoken. Some of my greatest inspiration, encouragement and challenge have been the result of spoken words. Not to let myself off the hook…most of my worst regrets are words that I have spoken both casually without much thought, as well as intentional strategically placed words that accomplished their purpose when they hit their target.

I doubt that I am the only one with this experience. I think for most of us, words have played a significant role in our lives. Words are powerful…for negative and positive. As we continue reading and studying the book of James together, James begins in Chapter 3 looking at obstacles to living out real faith in a real world. The first issue that James targets…the tongue.

I think James understands the power of words much better than the writer of the “sticks and stones” cliche:

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:3-6

The words of a follower of Jesus are of extreme importance. Do we speak life robbing words of gossip, criticism, judgment or do we speak life giving words of grace, truth and love? Are we as followers known more for what we speak against or more for what we support with our speech?

I am excited about this Sunday as we talk about how important our words are in engaging real life with a real faith.