Some years ago I overheard a father talking to his child. It seems the little tyke had done something he shouldn’t have done and the father was reprimanding him for his disobedient choice. What struck me about the conversation was the dad’s choice of words, his gentle tone of voice and his loving disposition. It was clear that in the midst of the admonition this father was communicating to his son love, encouragement, faith, and hope.

             As the conversation came to a close with a tearful “I’m sorry” and a loving hug, I began to think about the creative power of words. It was clear to me that the words this father had spoken were powerful and would have a positive impact on his little boy.

             What is it that gives words such creative power? If we take a look in the  first chapter of Genesis we might find an answer to that question. At Verse 3 we find God busy at work creating the world. “… God said, “Let there be light and there was light … Then God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters to separate one body of water from the other.” And so it happened. Then God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered into a single basin so the dry land may appear.” And so it happened.

             At verse 20, we read, Then God said, “Let the water teem with an abundance of living creatures, and on the earth let birds fly beneath the dome of the sky.” And so it happened. Verse 24 reads, Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds.” And so it happened.

               Clearly a pattern has developed here. God speaks and the word that He speaks effects change. He speaks light and darkness vanishes. He speaks separation and the water and the land are divided. He speaks bird and winged creatures take flight in the sky. God’s word creates and speech is His chosen mode of creating.

             However, at verse 27, God introduces something new into His creative process. This verse talks about the creation of man. It points out the profound difference between the way God created man and the way He created all other things. The verse says, God created man in his image; in the divine image He created him…”  Unlike the rest of creation, man is created in the image and likeness of God  — and this tells us something important about the  words we speak. If we are made in God’s image and likeness, and if God creates by speaking, then the words we speak must create as well. And, indeed, this is true. Like the words of God, our words have creative power.

             But, man is not God. Unlike God, we are stained by original sin. Therefore, our words can be constructive or destructive. Our words can bring comfort, hope, and life — or they can bring anguish, devastation, and death. Proverbs 15:4 tells us that ” a perverse (tongue) crushes the spirit.” This concerned mother’s story illustrates the truth of these words:

                “Our son was subjected to a classroom teacher who constantly berated him. He was belittled, chided, and scolded routinely. Her words and actions caused a profound change in our normally bouncy and lively child. He began to recoil at our touch. He no longer wanted for us to kiss him or show him affection. His sunny little face gave way to a sombre expression which became a permanent part of his countenance.

               “It was long into the school year before we determined what had caused this change in our son. And, by then, much damage had been done. Even though this incident happened early on in our son’s life, its effects have lingered. It has taken virtually years to restore our boy’s sense of self- confidence and worth. We’re still working on it some ten years later.”

  How potent the spoken word! How devastating can be its consequences!

 For this reason, Jesus tells us that we will be held accountable for every unguarded word we speak (Mt. 12:36). An ill-spoken word can initiate tribulation, destroy a reputation, produce failure, or lose a soul.

             St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, shared this truth with a penitent one day. A woman came to confession and told him that she had spoken a word of gossip. For her penance, the Cure told her to take a pillow to the top of the steeple. Once there he told her she was to slit it open and let the wind carry the feathers all over the countryside. Then she was to go and gather up the feathers and replace them in the pillow.

             She protested. Surely the good Cure knew this was impossible to do? “Yes,” said the Saint, “and so it is just as impossible for you to correct the damage you have done by your one word of gossip.” A poignant comparison. A lingering message. In many ways, others reap what we have verbally sown.  St. James puts it this way, See how tiny the spark is that sets a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is such a flame …(Jas. 3:5-6).

             I am sure this is why St. Paul penned these words to the Ephesians:  Never let evil talk pass your lips; say only the good things men need to hear, things that will really help them. (Eph. 4: 29).

             St. Paul knew well the potency of the spoken word. What we choose to say can build up or it can tear down. It can restore or it can lay low. It can divide or it can bind together. Intimacy and unity is formed in an atmosphere of love largely communicated by the words we speak.

              Again and again, Scripture extols the benefits of  loving words. Proverbs 15:4 says, A soothing tongue is a tree of life.” And Proverbs 16:24 tells us, Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healthful to the body.

             But my favorite is found in Proverbs 25:11, Like golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time. This was the nature of the words I heard the father speaking to his son — placed in the silver setting of love and tenderness, the father’s properly-timed words were golden apples bringing nourishment to his son’s soul and spirit. So too, our words must be tempered with the love of God. Then, even in the midst of a reprimand or correction, we will still create “golden apples.”

             Sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? And, indeed, it is. But our God is a God who loves tall orders!  If we want our words to be a source of life for others, we must accept into our hearts the One Who is the Word of God, Jesus Christ. He must take up residence within us and fill our souls with His love and mercy. Then, our words will shimmer with life and be beneficial for the ones who hear them. Indeed, our mouths will speak out of the abundance of our hearts (Mt. 12:34). Like the father’s words in our story, our words will produce fruit that will last.