The apostle says that "The power of life and death is in the tongue." and Jesus tells us that we will be judged by our own words. It would seem that the spoken and written word are very influential in more than a motivating way (i.e. encouraging others to get up and 'do' something). Devils were cast out of individuals at Christ's command. The very elements of nature were calmed by three words from the Master's lips: "Peace, be still." and even Paul and Silas will attest to the supernatural power in praise from the lips of two believers to bring a prison to rubble and its keeper to Christ. The very pattern for all this was set in place by the Creator when He set in motion the entire universe by His utterance. In all, the tongue certainly seems mightier than the sword.
The Dark Ages offer another illustration of this. Men had come into an age of despair, religious tyranny and superstition. Fear and ignorance reigned and the result was a spiritually backward people and a largely corrupt religious body. The same was true of Jesus's day. The number of times that Jesus is referred to as a light is many and this light and life came "at just the right time" and "the darkness could not comprehend it" - another translation says that the darkness could not 'overcome' it. Arise, shine, for thy light is come! Jesus, too, came at a time when the religious leaders were corrupt and more hindrance than help (to put it mildly).
But look at times when men have made a stand - even just verbally. I need not detail what true words can do to stir up an antagonistic party. They are more stirring than any threat of violence would be. Indeed, threats of violence only serve to strengthen the resolve and calm of one antithetical to the painful truth (whatever that may be in any given situation). Ideas and words have always been those things which change even the secular world. The secular and religious often clash, as seen by Galileo's power struggle with the Vatican. The papal stranglehold was ultimately too much for Galileo and he conceded - even if only in word. But this satisfied the church for the time being because there was no threat to its power. The Reformers that were burned merely for their testimony is another testament to the power of the spoken and written word to do at least as much as any action can.
If the tongue is not as powerful as all that, it should have seemed to Peter acceptable to deny His Lord in word but keep in his heart his devotion and act accordingly. But it wasn't. It struck him to the core and he was utterly downcast. The reason is that the words of a man are more than just sayings - they carry great weight both with other individuals and in the realm of the spirit.
When Daniel prayed to God, he was heard immediately, but the angel was detained in responding. His words were powerful. When the archangel Michael was debating with Satan over Moses' body, he chose his words carefully, saying only "The Lord rebuke thee, Satan!". Even in Revelation, it says that the overcomers overcame by the word of their testimony! And we will ultimately be held accountable for every idle word we have spoken! The spoken word carries GREAT weight!
So in considering this, it should be in our hearts as believers to carefully examine ourselves before we set anything to paper (whether virtual or not) or publicly declare anything. The words we deliver are forever set upon the page and forever recorded in the heavens as a witness for or against us. Not so much for or against us, but for or against the cause of Christ. By one word, we can do more damage or good than by many actions. By one word, we may be the vehicle for the Spirit of God to convict of sin, or we may heap burdens upon the backs of men grievous to be borne. So in every word we speak or write, it should be FOREMOST in our spirits and hearts that what we are bringing forth is to the glory of God. If it is not, we are well to know that an idle word can do more than hurt a feeling.
As the author of Hebrews writes:
" Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."
Hebrews 12:1,2a
This should be to us both a caution and an encouragement. Your words are far more powerful than you probably give them credit for.
The Dark Ages offer another illustration of this. Men had come into an age of despair, religious tyranny and superstition. Fear and ignorance reigned and the result was a spiritually backward people and a largely corrupt religious body. The same was true of Jesus's day. The number of times that Jesus is referred to as a light is many and this light and life came "at just the right time" and "the darkness could not comprehend it" - another translation says that the darkness could not 'overcome' it. Arise, shine, for thy light is come! Jesus, too, came at a time when the religious leaders were corrupt and more hindrance than help (to put it mildly).
But look at times when men have made a stand - even just verbally. I need not detail what true words can do to stir up an antagonistic party. They are more stirring than any threat of violence would be. Indeed, threats of violence only serve to strengthen the resolve and calm of one antithetical to the painful truth (whatever that may be in any given situation). Ideas and words have always been those things which change even the secular world. The secular and religious often clash, as seen by Galileo's power struggle with the Vatican. The papal stranglehold was ultimately too much for Galileo and he conceded - even if only in word. But this satisfied the church for the time being because there was no threat to its power. The Reformers that were burned merely for their testimony is another testament to the power of the spoken and written word to do at least as much as any action can.
If the tongue is not as powerful as all that, it should have seemed to Peter acceptable to deny His Lord in word but keep in his heart his devotion and act accordingly. But it wasn't. It struck him to the core and he was utterly downcast. The reason is that the words of a man are more than just sayings - they carry great weight both with other individuals and in the realm of the spirit.
When Daniel prayed to God, he was heard immediately, but the angel was detained in responding. His words were powerful. When the archangel Michael was debating with Satan over Moses' body, he chose his words carefully, saying only "The Lord rebuke thee, Satan!". Even in Revelation, it says that the overcomers overcame by the word of their testimony! And we will ultimately be held accountable for every idle word we have spoken! The spoken word carries GREAT weight!
So in considering this, it should be in our hearts as believers to carefully examine ourselves before we set anything to paper (whether virtual or not) or publicly declare anything. The words we deliver are forever set upon the page and forever recorded in the heavens as a witness for or against us. Not so much for or against us, but for or against the cause of Christ. By one word, we can do more damage or good than by many actions. By one word, we may be the vehicle for the Spirit of God to convict of sin, or we may heap burdens upon the backs of men grievous to be borne. So in every word we speak or write, it should be FOREMOST in our spirits and hearts that what we are bringing forth is to the glory of God. If it is not, we are well to know that an idle word can do more than hurt a feeling.
As the author of Hebrews writes:
" Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."
Hebrews 12:1,2a
This should be to us both a caution and an encouragement. Your words are far more powerful than you probably give them credit for.
" If I just came back from the dead, I don't think I would act like everything was just "AOK normal" Jesus is an awesome guy.
Appreciate the understanding and the constant pointing to Christ 
