“Words are but pictures of your thoughts.” –John Dryden, (1613-1700) England’s first poet laureate

But make sure your statement is, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil origin. Matthew 5:37 NASB

It is estimated that the average person speaks around 16,000 words in a day, using only 2-3% of their vocabulary.  The average rate of speaking is 125 words per minute while the human brain can process 800 words per minute. While a speaker’s words enter our brain we continue to think at high speed. 

While sitting in the exit row of an airplane, the flight attendant asked if I was “willing and able to assist in an emergency.” The question required a verbal reply. I vocalized, “Yes,” but my rowmate had his earbuds in and stared blankly ahead. She asked me to nudge him. I did. Annoyed, he removed the earbuds and snapped, “Oh yes, yes.” The flight attendant asked him, “Do you know what you are saying yes to?”  She then informed him it was a serious responsibility to help in an emergency, and his affirmation –or “Yes” meant something. 

 The flight attendant was giving a lesson in exchange. A gentle nudge of, “Do you know…” is a vivid reminder that only humans have the ability to communicate through spoken language. Words can build up and tear down.  The apostle Paul used verbs such as nourish, receive, and trustworthy to describe how God’s word influences our lives. Don’t let your words become diminished to prattle. Your words can compel. They mean something. 

The words you speak reflect what has nourished you.

 Are you able to assist in an emergency? 

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, 

Let the word of Christ dwell in me richly and my speech be gracious, seasoned with salt knowing how to answer each person. Amen (from Colossians)