April 23 - Sticks, Stones, and Broken Bones

Sticks, Stones, and Broken Bones

 “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

Someone once coined the phrase, and I don’t know who, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Whoever said that is just simply lying or wasn’t paying attention. Broken bones heal a lot quicker than the wounds that are left by an "out-of-control" tongue. There are individuals, who on this very day - are still suffering from the aftermath of a tongue-lashing. We make a choice whether we will heal with our words or harm with our words.

Words have a power all their own to protect or disconnect and the ability to defuse or confuse all in one felled swoop.   We see it all the time. Let me give you a few examples of the importance of accurate communication:
                    

1.   When Gerber first started selling baby food in Africa, they used the same packaging as here in the USA--with the cute baby on the label. Later they found out that in Africa companies routinely put pictures on the label of what is inside since most people cannot read. They didn’t sell very well.

2.  When Coca-Cola first shipped to China, they named the product something that when pronounced sounded like, "Coca-Cola." The only problem was that the characters used meant, "Bite The Wax Tadpole." They later changed it to a set of characters that mean, "Happiness In The Mouth."                  

3. When Pepsi started marketing its products in China a few years back, they translated their slogan, "Pepsi Brings You Back to Life" quite literally. The slogan in Chinese really meant, "Pepsi Brings Your Ancestors Back from the Grave."
4.  Coors put its slogan, "Turn It Loose," into Spanish, where it was read as "Suffer From Diarrhea."

5.     The Chevy Nova never sold well in Spanish speaking countries. "No Va" means "It Does Not Go" in Spanish.

            

The need for effective communication is so important that we must take it seriously. We have far more at stake than simply the loss of money like these companies. The Greek word used for “keep ... in check” literally means ‘bridled.’ This same word is used in James 1:26 - “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” If you can’t control your tongue, you can’t control your life and your faith is worthless. It is time to make

it a top priority.

It doesn’t mean you have to go around talking niceties all the time.   I’m great…your great…isn’t that just great.   There is a time for challenging words.  But they are always meant to heal.  Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted…” The Bible continuously reminds us to encourage one another with our words. Another person said, “We shouldn’t complain about our spouse’s faults because if it weren’t for those faults they could have married someone so much better!” What kind of words are you speaking?  Are we speaking words of death or words of life?  Words of life energize people.  Proverbs 12:25 says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up,” while Proverbs 16:24 adds, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb. Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Words can make impressions that last for years. A casual off-handed comment can bring challenges to someone else’s life for years to come or change them for the good as they face their futures.  Because we don’t realize how powerful they are, we talk about all kinds of stuff without watching our words.  James tells us we need to understand our mouths direct us. If you want to know where you are headed,  look at your conversation.  What do you talk about the most?  Someone asked, “Whatever you talk about the most, you’re tending to move in that direction.” 

Start talking about the Lord and watch how it begins to change your focus on others.  As husbands, wives, parents, friends, we often forget the power of our words.  We can change people’s futures and strengthen them.  Proverbs 12:25 says, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” It’s amazing what power rests in your mouth…make no bones about it.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)    Do you tend to be a healer or a harmer with your words?

2)    Who can you focus on today to bring words of life?

Consider reading the Word today:

 

Copyright 2014- Terry Risser