Words

So there is a christian song out called "WORDS" by Hawk Nelson. I remember first listening to it and not being sure of what the song was all about. The first few verses go like this:

They've made me feel like a prisoner
They've made me feel set free
They've made me feel like a criminal
Made me feel like a king

They've lifted my heart
To places I'd never been
And they've dragged me down
Back to where I began

I remember thinking, what is this song talking about? Then the next verse revealed it. 

Words can build you up
Words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart or
Put it out

Well today I thought about this song a lot. And the reason being is that last night I got into an argument with a few of my brothers in Christ because of a few words spoken about someone. And let me tell you, I got really upset. I just couldn't understand where they were coming from. I could not understand why such horrible words were considered okay to be spoken about another person. Even if society accepts them, can't they see how harmful those words can be for a person? I find that words can truly make someone define themselves by them. That words can make someone believe that they are what they are not. That words can break a person, even when they themselves don't want them too. And that those who speak words over someone, you are basically defining them through it whether you like it or not. Whether you believe it or not. I remember not so long ago I myself was being rebuked about my choice of words when describing a brother in Christ. I wasn't trying to be mean, but to him the word that I used to describe him made him feel 'mean.' And yeah - the word I was using to describe him was mean.... But the more I thought about his dislike for my choice of words over him the more I understood his point of view. I would like to say I stopped calling him mean right away, but it's a hard habit to stop. Sorry James... But I'm working on it. The thing is I know how powerful words can be. Did I not grow up with words being spoken over me that I still unconsciously believe? Words that I have spoken over myself? What greater proof do we have of how powerful words can be then in Genesis 1 when God created the world through his words. 

Anyways, I just realized how much words mean to me. How much they affect me, especially when ill words are spoken about someone else. I could care less if I know the person or not... I just believe that words upon another person should be spoken with a personal belief that THAT person is - worthy?... That though a person may not be who you want them to be or far from what they should be - that your words should reflect the hope you have for them. At least I hope my words can be that for others... Like the lyrics to the song go:

Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don't wanna say a word
Unless it points the world back to You

You can heal the heartache
Speak over the fear
(Speak over the fear)
God, Your voice is the only thing
We need to hear
(We need to hear)

I wanna speak Your love
Not just another noise
Oh, I wanna be Your light
I wanna be Your voice