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Ephesians 4:29 – Words Are Actions
The proverb, “actions speak louder than words,” is true to an extent. The reality is that such a declarative proverb hopes to have its words become a call for action. Therefore to say that actions speak louder than words, does not include the reality that words can be actions. And then the added truth is that my words are actions upon others. The proverb, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a lie, deluding us into the false sense of security that words themselves do not act upon us. The people hurling the epithets know better. Words are actions.
James 3:6 HCSB And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
There are realities behind the words that we use. There is the philosophical substance, the Divine awareness, the lexical meaning, but even more. There is the reality impressed upon the minds and memories of others that can last a life time, impacting for good or evil. Before we speak, let us think, and when we think, let us feel. And when we think and feel, let us act by treating others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
In the words of a well-known political pundit, “words mean things.” And sometimes “words are mean things.” Think back, and we all probably can remember saying, or hearing words that have impacted our lives, for good or bad. Those words were actions, actions upon our psyches. That is why, “no rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29 HCSB).
Actions speak louder than words when words are empty. But most words are loaded with meaning and therefore loaded with actions upon the one who hears, and feels the impact of our words.
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