Words not deeds

Deeds not words are words of the anthem of the football club Feyenoord. Today I’m twisting it around. Words not deeds. Are we aware of our words?

People sometimes say name calling doesn’t hurt. Physical that’s true. However in the soul it goes through marrow and bone. People just speak without thinking. A few examples to make the point; ‘Ooow that person is never gonna change’ or ‘First see and believe’ or ‘I see this or that happening’. Those are the things that pop into our minds. Or it slips of your tongue. We don’t realise what kind of effect it has.

Words directed to people in the form of bullying has been the subject of discussion lately. In the news you see a lot of memorial services of people who went crazy because of bullying. People commit suicide cause of those words. Disbelieve let people stay longer in battle. Words of encouragement doesn’t come out of our mouths. We get more sceptical day by day. We have lost our faith in people who are saying to improve, especially when it’s not the first promise they make.

The Bible is very clear about words; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (John 1:1-3) Wow, just let it sink in for a minute. That means that EVERYTHING is made by just a word! Let’s go to the first book of The Bible; And God said; Let there be light… (Gen 1:3), and God said; Let there be an expanse between the waters… (Gen 1:6), and God said; Let the water under the sky… (Gen 1:9). And it goes on and on. So if God created the heavens and earth by just saying a word, that means that there’s power in our words. So when people are getting bullied it does more then we realise. When we say that people can’t change it will have an effect on them. It will give a delay of their progress. Isn’t it so that not only negative words have an influence but the positive has an influence as well!

Is it really that hard to say something nice to each other? Something positive? ‘No’ is the resolute answer that you get on that question. But what if those people say nasty things? What if that friend doesn’t believe you anymore? Your husband doesn’t have faith in you no more? That co-worker that always walks the line? That teacher that gives you bad grades? Can you still be friendly? Say nice things? Or is it an eye for an eye. Like but ‘She did this or that...’ or ‘He did…’ That is what the law of Moses said. We no longer live under the law since the coming of Jesus, we live under the grace. He thought us; If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (Matt 5:39). It’s a challenge a stay friendly for a day, although you don’t feel like it. The challenge to give your words a positive character, even when you don’t feel it in your heart. You shall notice a change in your own heart and even more effective you’ll see a change in the other person! Then you’ll see that eventually words become deeds…