The power of words

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost ● September 15, 2024

Rev. Simeon Law, Guest Preacher © 2024

You can view the full worship video recording at:

https://youtu.be/kmSeudVj5x0

Scripture Readings: 

James 3:1-12 (adapted from The Inclusive Bible)

The texts of the readings are in the worship bulletin linked here.

Today's passage from James chapter 3 is about speech and the power of our words. It is interesting to discuss this, especially in a time when words are increasingly cheap. In an age of social media, our fingers fly away with abandon sharing every bad or good hot take without much thought.

Consider what happened this past week in Springfield, Ohio. A harmful lie about immigrants was spread online, creating a wave of falsehoods. The result? Bomb threats, school closures, and immense fear. What started as one person’s made-up story was shared repeatedly until was shared on one of the largest stages of our nation. Since then it has spiraled into dangerous talk. Lives were impacted, all because of words.

We live in a time when talk is cheap, and yet, paradoxically, words can be more impactful than ever. Technology like ChatGPT may not yet compete with the experts in fields like songwriting or creative writing, but it will outcompete a significant amount of jobs when it comes to cost. In a capitalistic society with little regard for workers relative to the labor they produce, AI will lead to devastation for many.

We live in a hottake culture where we constantly race to get our opinion out there first. All so we can experience the thrilling validation from capturing the attention of internet masses.

I remember the first time I was called a racial slur. It was kindergarten, from a classmate named Louis. I didn't fully understand the word then, but I knew it was wrong. Still, I didn’t have the strength to stand up against it. That experience shaped me, leading to years of self-loathing about my heritage. Such words can live within us, imprison us, and shape our lives.

Not all words are destructive. There was a time in second grade when a simple word of kindness from my teacher, Mr. Drake, stuck with me. Even though it didn’t immediately undo the damage of other harsh words, it planted a seed. That’s the thing about words—they can either tear us down or lift us up.

James reminds us that our words have a dual nature—they can both bless and curse. Our language can be used to build, but it can also be used to maintain harmful status quos or gloss over difficult truths. Think about euphemisms we hear in the news: "targeted killings," "officer-involved shootings." These are ways to soften harsh realities. Yet, as Christians, we are called to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no." We should aim to speak with clarity and truth.

However, words alone are not enough. In 1 Corinthians, Paul says that even if we speak with the tongues of angels but have not love, we are like noisy gongs or clanging cymbals. Our speech must be accompanied by love, or it is meaningless. Words can mask deeper brokenness if we do not align them with the love of God.

Luke 6:45 tells us that "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Eventually, our words will reflect what is within us. So, we must not only guard our tongues but also work on the conditions of our hearts. If we are filled with love, our words will reflect that.

In a short while, we will celebrate communion. I encourage you to listen deeply to the words of the liturgy. Pay attention to how these words reflect our identity as a people of forgiveness and grace. Communion is a powerful reminder that we are forgiven, and we are called to forgive others.

I leave you with this: What are the words that have encouraged you in your life? What words have carried you through difficult times? And how are you using your words to encourage and uplift others?

Amen.