“If I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning …” (Pete Seeger and Lee Hays, 1949)
There is probably not a tool as ubiquitous as the hammer. Can you imagine a home where you couldn’t find at least one?
There’s something interesting about hammers. They can be used as tools in building or in demolition. They can be (and certainly have been) used as weapons to injure or even kill.
Our language can be like a hammer. It can be used to build or demolish, to wound or heal. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21)
And who decides how we will use that “hammer?” Yep! We do.
Words have amazing power. The Bible tells us that God created the known universe through the spoken word.
On a much smaller scale (much, much smaller), we have the power to create new worlds by choosing different words. How so? Glad you asked.
Through our spoken words, we can position ourselves for either failure or progress. Think about your job. One person says, “I have to go to work.” Another says, “I get to go to work.” What difference might there be in attitude between the two? What difference in productivity? What difference in work atmosphere with coworkers?
Or what about this person who says, “I’d love to hang out with you this weekend, but I’ve been gone a lot and I have to spend some time with my family.” Another person says, “Thanks for the invite, but I’ve been gone so much that I can’t wait to spend this weekend with my family.” Not only is the speaker’s family “world” different, but he has also affirmed family in the “world” of his friend.
From “I have to” to “I get to.” World. Changing.
Imagine if we were to look in the mirror each morning and say, “I am made in the image of God; I am valuable. Jesus died for me; I am valued. I am a unique masterpiece of God. I was made on purpose and for purpose. God is not out to get me; He’s out to captivate me. In Christ, I am enough.” How might our “worlds” be different?
Not only do our words have the power to create new worlds for us, but they can also create new worlds for those with whom we interact every day.
Not only do our words have the power to create new worlds for us, but they can also create new worlds for those with whom we interact every day. Click To Tweet
The names we call people have great power. Have you ever noticed that people we refer to as idiots, morons, and useless usually manage to live up to the name?
Here’s a tip: So do the people we refer to as friends and partners.
By choosing the right words, we can give them something to live up to instead of down to.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
Our lives and our words matter to God. With the “hammer” of our words, we can speak life or death, blessings or curses. How will you use yours to build something new?
With the “hammer” of our words, we can speak life or death, blessings or curses. How will you use yours to build something new? Click To Tweet
Be amazing, my friends.
