Words can bless or curse
December 2, 2008 (Tuesday)
Last night on the ABC Family Channel, Dr. Seuss was featured. Several of his animated masterpieces were shown. Few minds, if any, work in the way Dr. Seuss worked. His characters open their mouths, and out flow masterpieces of verbal art. “I do not like them, Sam I am, I do not like green eggs and ham!” Well said. Hard to forget, and who would want to forget the mellow voice of Boris Karloff in “How the Grench stole Christmas?” All the words of Seuss’ poems are here to stay.
Well, in fact, anything any of us says is out there to stay. An ancient proverb reminds us, “Water and words: easy to pour, impossible to recover.” Who could ever forget the old saying, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words can never hurt me?” The only thing wrong with that old saying is that it definitely is not true. Words can soothe and words can hurt.
Many people have become much more conscious of their words, and have suggested that we choose words that do not hurt people. That’s the purpose of the whole “politically correct” movement. It can be carried to extreme, of course, and most of us have come up against political correctness that irritates us, but the purpose of it is good. It reminds us to be careful in choosing our words. Now, friends, that’s scriptural. Many Biblical references could be cited, but one is particularly forceful: “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26 NIV).
Bro. Loyd Chapman, fellow preacher and dear friend now with the Lord, when he had his 80th birthday, told me, “Charles, I am chronologically challenged.” I read someone else’s version of that today, and its says, “chronologically advantaged.” But it’s OK if you call me “old.” I’ve earned it.
Many such terms, however, sting very much. Thankfully, we have virtually done away with racial epithets (I won’t quote any of them here) and have found that we can conduct a very good conversation without the use of those ugly words. But we should be very sensitive to our own words, not wanting to hurt anyone. Jesus said, “..by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37 NIV).
We are reminded by the apostle Paul, “Be kind and compassionate to one another..” (Ephesians 4:32 NIV). Surely this includes our words.
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Interesting facts about Dr. Seuss:
“Seuss” in German is pronounced like “voice.”
Dr. Seuss’ real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel.
Geisel wrote most of his books in anapestic tetrameter.