THERE IS POWER IN OUR WORDS
We have recently been using a concept in this column referring to it as ‘life skills nuggets’ and something has been stirred within to illuminate more on what one really means lest it be construed for something else. In this context, a ‘life skills nugget’ is regarded as a thought, idea, viewpoint and or a word considered informative and able enough to instil knowledge, understanding, counsel, encouragement, and or wisdom. A life skills nugget has relevance in life and will therefore enable some level of useability and transferability at personal, social and other situational contexts. It is against this background that one wants to explore the power of words as a life skill nugget as life is continually anchored on the words we speak and use on daily basis.
One wants to make a disclaimer upfront to acknowledge that one can dissect the subject of words from diverse perspectives, and this is one of the very many. Words carry some overwhelming power and authority to shape and influence many things including our pattern of thinking, emotional as well as the behavioural disposition. Words have the capacity to carry the general articulation of what is within our spirit, soul and body and so we cannot underestimate their significance. Words are instrumental in the construction of our reality including the past, current and future sphere of our reality as we build ourselves and the significant others.
Words are released from our mouth hence the tongue becomes a powerful instrument in facilitating the release of this phenomenon. We note also that words can be released through other media such as written text, brail, and even pictorial signification if we can decide what is being communicated. So, when we talk about words, we are not confining ourselves to spoken words although it is important as the tongue gets entangled in the physical process of speaking. In other words, all the human faculties are affected hence the need for alignment in spirit, soul and body. And so, the words we speak can affect one part of our being, hence it is critical to ensure we are constantly monitoring the well-being of our tripartite nature.
In words, there is a sound and sound will carry vocal vibration that pierce through the air as it travels to be received to work in the spirit, soul and body of the other person. The tongue works mysteries with many other parts to cause sound to be released and this empowers communication to emerge that constructs and or shapes the reality of our world.
In the words we speak, we are able to make formal and informal decrees, statements, announcements, pronouncements, declarations etc. These vocal mysteries contain some positive edification which is all about building influence that strengthens, instils and encourages. On the contrary, words can have the power to minister negative influence that leads to discouragement, destruction, and even a reduction in our edification in our holistic well-being.
It is therefore necessary to always pay attention to pattern the words we release with some intentionality and purposefulness especially in selection as we become more aware of the role they play in our lives. The roles that words can play in our lives will be explored more in the next column but certainly, we cannot ignore the power and influence they have in shaping who we are as a people. The tongue is created in such a way that it takes care of our physical bodies as well as the spirit and soul. As we move in this life skills nugget, the tongue will be considered imperative as it remains the doorway to influencing the integrated nature of our being. A good understanding should therefore come from this huge dilemma that all of us need to ponder on that “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. (James 3: 9-11).