The Consequences of Words

Words hurt. We all know it, and some of us still carry words said to us when we were small children. All of that being said, I think words shouldn’t be changed because they hurt. On social media, certain words will get you labeled as a “bigot”, “racist”, “misogynist”,” homophobe”, and other phrases, and even get you censored. For example, people say “un-alived” instead of “killed,” and the latter gets bleeped out of many videos, and people, like me, get censored and our algorithm gets messed with because we refuse to comply. And I won’t comply. Why? Because words hurt, and that is important, and those who want to control speech want to silence all dissent against them. Again, why? Because the darkness hates the light, and when we shine the light of Christ, all darkness is exposed, and the darkness cringes against it.  

Loved ones, the Gospel is offensive to those who are perishing. It, truly, always has been. If people can control words, they will control words like “Jesus died on the cross for my sin,” not because “died” is offensive, but because sin is. None of us want to be called out on what we do, but the nature of the Gospel is confrontational. That is why people lash out at us for telling basic truths, and why they let their own wounds and hurts inform their world view. And the fact remains that, if the Gospel wasn’t offensive, none of us would ever change. And that is what the Gospel does: it forces us to think about ourselves in comparison to a Holy and Mighty God and see just how deficient we are in comparison. It forces us to recognize that we can’t be our own gods, and that we need a savior.

Words have consequences. We should absolutely consider what we’re going to say before we say it, and the weight in which our words will impact someone else. We shouldn’t shy away, however, from truth. We need to speak the truth, even if it hurts someone, because if we love them, we want what is best, and the truth is always beneficial. We know, too, that Jesus is THE way, THE Truth and THE Life, and no one comes to the Father but through Him. So let us seek and speak the Truth, even if the consequences are severe.

Psalm 25

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust;

let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult over me.

Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For your name's sake, O Lord,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Who is the man who fears the Lord?

Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

His soul shall abide in well-being,

and his offspring shall inherit the land.

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,

and he makes known to them his covenant.

My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes,

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

for I wait for you.

Redeem Israel, O God,

out of all his troubles.

John 13:31-35

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.