Just what is the purpose of words? What do we achieve by using them? We speak or write words in order to communicate our thoughts to others. Words, then, are used as a means of expressing what is in our mind.

The first recorded words that God spoke are, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3). In chronological order, the first recorded words that God spoke to man are, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat" (Genesis 2:16). The first recorded words spoken by a human being are found in Genesis 2:23, where it is written that Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh . . ."

Do our words make an impression on others? You know they do. Does our choice of words make any difference in the sight of God? Indeed, it does, despite what some people claim. Hear what Jesus said about our speech: "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37). Is not Jesus saying that the words that you and I speak can make the difference between eternal happiness (heaven) and eternal torment (hell)?

Sometimes people, even some that are children of the living God, are loose with their words. They may be sincere, but their concepts of what a person’s speech should and should not be are far different from what the Bible teaches. Some of those that have uncontrolled and vile speech are among the most outspoken people when it comes to a discussion of what constitutes appropriate speech. From their mouths frequently flow forth wild words about words. Consider some sentiments about speech that we might hear others express in our day.

"I have the right to say whatever I want, because we have freedom of speech." American citizens should be grateful for their liberty to express themselves. Such social freedom is not without restrictions, however. Judges certainly do not allow every form of conceivable language to be used in civil courts. It is a fact that the Lord God made man, not as a robot, but as a being with personal thinking and freedom of choice. That is a long way, however, from saying that God condones everything that humans say or do. The Bible teaches that God by no means gives an "Amen" to all of man’s choices. In the realm of speech, God’s Book says, "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be" (James 3:10). That surely does not sound like we should be saying, "I have the right to say whatever I want to." God’s word further says that liars will be cast into the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8). Again, this makes it clear that God does not support the notion that one is at liberty to spew forth any words that he/she pleases.

"God cares about our actions, not our words, because we all know that actions speak louder than words." It certainly is true that our actions send a loud message to those that observe us. We recognize that if we speak what is correct, but we fail to support such with our action, then we will be labeled as a hypocrite (Matthew 23:2,3). However, such a reality does not justify the conclusion that God does not care about our words. Regarding our speech, God tells His children, "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds" (Colossians 3:8). The same epistle reads, "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt . . ." (4:6). It is obvious that God, indeed, does care about our words.

"If what I say offends other people, that is just their problem, not mine. I cannot be worried about everybody’s feelings." There are some ultra-sensitive people that seem to get their feelings hurt when absolutely nothing inappropriate has been spoken to them. And, it is also true that we are to teach the truth, whether men like it or not. Jesus did, knowing full well that His truth offended some (Matthew 15:11-14). Yet, we should not have the attitude that we are going to say whatever comes to mind, and if others do not like it, that is just their tough luck. Ephesians 4:29 says that we are to speak that which edifies others. Philippians 2:4 instructs Christians, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." This instruction makes it plain that we are not to think only about our own desires, but also to be considerate of others. Thus, it is false to claim that when we speak we never need to take into consideration the feelings or wishes of others.

"It does not matter if a person uses profanity. Using profanity simply shows that a person lacks a better vocabulary." I was fed this line when I was still in high school and had not yet obeyed the gospel. As many high school-aged boys would, I thought this philosophy sounded great. Little did I know at the time that it is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Make no mistake about it: in God’s sight the use of profanity is unacceptable! "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth . . . But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 3:8). Yes, God hears all profanity (Hebrews 4:13). It is His will that His children remove all foul language from their vocabulary, forever! It may be that using profanity can help make a good impression on some humans, but it will never please Jehovah.

"No one can control his tongue completely, so there is no point in even trying." What if a person does not keep his/her speech under control? Answer: "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain" (James 1:26). We openly confess that it is not an easy task to throttle our tongue, but according to the Bible it is possible to keep it restrained. "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23). If God tells us not to lie, then we can refrain from telling lies. If God tells us not to be a backbiter, then we can avoid such a use of our tongue. We know of several strong saints that have "cleaned up" their speech after they obeyed the gospel. It can be done. It is true that our speech will never be totally free from fault, but with a willing spirit on our part, coupled with God’s help, we can work on it (Matthew 26:41).

The world does not think like Christians do. We should not be surprised, then, to hear the vile words that non-Christians speak. Let us be careful that we do not allow ourselves to slip into the ungodly language that is used by ungodly people. At the same time, let us be on guard against false ideas that people set forth about the proper use of the tongue. Yes, watch out for wild words about words.

-- Roger D. Campbell