In Christian circles, we often use the word “stewardship” with reference to money. Most church-goers expect that a sermon with the word stewardship in the title will be about giving more money. But today, I want us to consider stewardship of another commodity. Let’s consider the stewardship of our words.
The English alphabet has twenty-six letters that can be arranged to form many words. Most English-speaking adults have a vocabulary of 25,000-30,000 words.[1] God created us with an amazing capacity to form ideas in our brain and then to communicate those ideas with words. He created an elaborate “sound system” in our bodies to produce those words in audible form.
The Bible and Our Words
James 3:1-12 reminds is that our words have the capacity to both help and harm. It all depends on how we choose to use them.
In Matthew 12:33-37, Jesus teaches that our words provide a very clear diagnostic of our heart condition. He reminds us that we speak from the overflow of what is already in our heart. Jesus was the first to communicate the concept that “what you say can and will be used against (or for) you.”
In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul challenges us to use words that build up instead of tear down. He calls us to forsake words that are untrue, corrupt, bitter, and angry. And to replace them with words that are true, forgiving, and kind.
Stewardship and Words
My challenge to you today is to see yourself as a STEWARD of words. That begins with surrendering the rights to our words. We live in a culture that believes in the individual right to speak one’s mind, or to speak from the heart. That would be fine if our minds and hearts were not fallen and tainted by sin. How different would our speech be if we forfeited our speech rights? Would the content of our words and the way we speak them be different? I believe it would. I remember my grandmother saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” If we followed her advice, our world would be a lot quieter.
Several years ago, I learned an acrostic to help me assess my speech. The acrostic challenges us to THINK before we speak. Each of the letters in the word “think” represents a question we should ask about our words before we speak them.
T – Is it TRUE?
Asking this question would nip a lot of gossip in the bud. Do I know for certain that what I am speaking is 100% true? Can I verify through my own personal experience or am I sharing only what I have heard from others?
H – Is it HELPFUL?
What are my motives for saying this? By saying this, will I build up or tear down? Will I make a situation better or worse? Is my motive for saying this pure?
I – Is it INSPIRING?
What will be the result of my saying this? Will it encourage or spur others on to love and good works? (Hebrews 10:24)
N – Is it NECESSARY?
Does this need to be said? What are the consequences of remaining silent versus speaking? Do I need to be the one to say it, or should it come from someone else? Is this the right time to say it?
K – Is it KIND?
How can I say this in a way that is gracious and “seasoned with salt”? (Colossians 4:6) Am I prepared to frame this in a positive way?
Help with Our Words
One final caveat. Our words are a product of our thoughts and our heart. We change what we say when we change what we think about. Philippians 4:8 gives us a great pattern for our thoughts. When our minds constantly dwell on the right things, our words will naturally follow suit.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
And since our words ooze from the overflow of our heart, we must give careful attention to it as well. Galatians 5:16-23 reminds us of our constant internal spiritual battle between our flesh and the Holy Spirit. Each day, several times a day, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and bring His fruit to bear in your heart.
When God’s Word and His Spirit own your words, then you will use them wisely as a good steward.
One Final Caveat
The now-prevalent practice of social media posting adds a new layer to our stewardship of words. Everything the Bible says about our speech can also apply to our posting. Social media has given everyone a voice, and an entitlement mentality about their right to post as they please.
But we should test everything post on all social media platforms, as well as texts and email, by the same Biblical standard for our speech. Social media posts are merely “non-verbal speech.”
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
keep watch over the door of my lips! – Psalm 141:3
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. – 1 Corinthians 4:2
His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” – Matthew 25:21
[1] https://www.economist.com/johnson/2013/05/29/lexical-facts