If I asked you to describe a word picture of a famous “epic battle”, who would it depict? There are many. David and Goliath? The duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton? Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader ? Maybe Harry Potter and Voldemort. One common thread to all of these battles is that they involved weapons. A slingshot, pistols, lightsabers and wands. None of these involved the most powerful weapon known to mankind: words. In perhaps the most epic battle of all time, words were the featured weapon between the combatants. That battle was between Jesus and the Devil during Jesus’ 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. Luke 4:1-13. Time and again, the devil used words to tempt Jesus and our savior fought back with the Word. Words are powerful — they were for Jesus and they are for you as well.
Read these words from St. James: “A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. James 3:4-6.
We are called to be witnesses in our community to the glory of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9-10 Our words are very important. What words have you spoken recently and what would they reflect about your relationship with Christ? James’ message to early Christians is equally relevant to Christians today — what you say reflects not only upon you but also upon Christ. This is not to say that you should hold your tongue under all circumstances. However it does mean that what you say — and when and how you say it — are very important in carrying out your call as a witness to Christ.