When I asked the question in my favourite search engine, “how many English words are there today?” I received many possibilities. One website said about 500,000 but others suggested anything between that number and 1,000,000. So, your guess is as good as mine, or so it seems. Then I asked the question, “How many words does the average English speaker use in daily conversations?” Again, I received a number of answers, depending upon a person’s age, etc. One suggestion was that between the ages of 3 and 60 the number increases from about 3,000 to 32,000. Whatever the truth is (and no one really seems to know), one can’t miss the fact that the gap between the number of words available and the one’s actually in general use is huge. In fact a conservative figure is that we only use about 10% of the words available to us, and then when dividing them into “active” [speaking] and “passive” [listening and understanding], we probably only use about 1% when speaking.
The important question though is, “Are we using these words wisely or foolishly, to bless or to curse people, to encourage or discourage people, to give positive or negative input to those listening and much more? Whether we realize it or not, words are powerful. Words have been the source of peace and reconciliation and they have created division and hatred, started wars and ended wars, changed the course of history for good or evil. James wrote that the tongue (i.e. words) are like a tiny spark [that] can set a great forest on fire. (James 3:5)
Proverbs has much to say about the use of language (particularly warning against the negative use) in our daily life and activities, and chapter 26 is no different. Consider the following:
17 Interfering in someone else’s argument
is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.
Have you ever tried to grab a dog by the ear? Not a smart thing to do, unless you want to get bitten. So, interfering and having your say in certain arguments (particularly if we know nothing about the situation) may create more trouble for you and everyone involved.
18 Just as damaging
as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19 is someone who lies to a friend
and then says, “I was only joking.”
Unfortunately, the story of people shooting a deadly weapon (considered as madness) is all too common in our day, and the consequences have been and continue to be catastrophic. Here this is compared to the destructiveness of lying to a friend, and then trying to laugh it off as a joke. A good way to lose a friend!
20 Fire goes out without wood,
and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
Goldsworthy comments on v.20: “The gossip engages in malicious talk with little concern for truth. Remove this element and many quarrels die through lack of fuel.” Then on v.21: “The quarrelsome person is one who cannot resist undermining personal relationships by introducing contention into them.” (# 53) Reminds us of James words: a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. (James 3:5)
22 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.
Sadly, we are all tempted at times to enjoy a few dainty morsels, forgetting the emotional pain it can cause.
23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,
just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. 24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
but they’re deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
Their hearts are full of many evils.
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
As it should be, because,
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
and flattering words cause ruin.
Have you ever met such a person? In an age of internet scammers, when vulnerable people are deceived without mercy, this is very relevant teaching. How often these scammers use smooth words, pleasant words, flattering words and even pretend to be kind or endeavouring to do something for us that is for our benefit. Sadly, they’re deceiving you due to the fact that Their hearts are full of many evils [particularly greed]. So, the recommendation is don’t believe them. Check the facts and do your research and even get advice from someone you trust before making a decision. One day, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public and hopefully they will face the justice they deserve (in this life and, without doubt, the next). As the author of Hebrews writes: people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment [before God]. (Hebrews 9:27)
Following James’ teaching on the danger of our words he says to us as followers of Jesus:
10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! … 13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom… 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:10, 13, 17-18)
So, Father, teach us to be wise and understand God’s ways, [and] prove it by living an honorable life. Help us to use the words we have in our vocabulary to bless and not to curse. Amen.
Worship and Wisdom - Psalms and Proverbs 