Words...are real things, they curse or they encourage, they praise or they damn, they build or they destroy. So often we are not mindful of our words and the impact they will have on others. This is especially important if you are Christian where credibility is most of the battle in our interaction with others. When you speak, you want people to believe you, you want to have a positive impact. Most conflicts occur when there is a breakdown in communicating the right words. Words determine how we are seen by the world, they are our representative. Do our words convey warmth or coldness, love or hatred, sadness or joy ? Other than the eyes (see "The Look of Love" in this site), words are the most powerful of all our abilities. And in the absence of eyes, words are the communicators of the soul.
Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Like the opening statements for example, these are very harsh words for what is seemingly a banal situtaion. When King David said," I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies."(Ps 139:22) it was in the context that he was placed in front of the workings of the enemies of God. Webster's Dictionary list hate as: "intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury ". So in this case it was in response to a great sense of injury coming from those that would be so hard as to not appreciate the goodness of God's ways. There are still enemies of God in the world today. We should never be motivated by fear, anger or sense of injury; these are generally transitory in nature and it will pass. This does not mean that we are to excuse the acts of hatred toward God's word, but it means that we are to allow God's justice to occur. Even the Lord Himself says,"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day."(Ps 7:11) He also says,"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."(Ro 12:19) If anyone is qualified to act out of righteous indignation it certainly is Him. He has the wisdom not to let emotions lead the day.
Let's see what the Bible says about the use of our tongue and words;
" For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."(James 3:2)
" Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."(James 3:5-10)
As we can see, the things we say can and do have great consequences. Not always the ones we would prefer which is why we must choose our words carefully so as to convey exactly what it is we mean, and mean exactly what it is we are saying. Words spoken in anger often cannot be remedied as they have cut to the heart and have left a devastating wound that may take some time to heal and cauterize. Many Christians don't understand this and especially when it comes to wielding the Words of God. Are there any more powerful words than the words of God? "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(Heb 4:12). Our own words are powerful enough, but when it applies to the spiritually-enhanced Word of God then it is even more important how and what we say.
Are there any more conforting words than," I love you" coming from the mouth of someone you know means it ? Words are real, use them truthfully.