Reflection
Speech is a powerful gift. We can inspire, offer compassion, share wonder, encourage, express love. We can also wound, demean, sow discord, spread negativity, or deceive. One of the problems we are facing in our time is that truth has become destabilized. Situations that are obviously one way are sworn to be the opposite. Lies are repeated and made to sound like truth. Facts are relative. Speech has been separated from its moral compass. The courage to speak honestly is rare. It is disturbing. Our speech reveals who we are. We may deceive others but eventually our own words expose us.In the long run, truth usualkly breaks through.
Prayer
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord
Psalm 19:14
Action
What are ways that I can uphold factual speech and honesty? How can I help to expose false public speech? How can I speak words of encouragement and support in my family, workplace or community? Is my manner of speaking sometimes hurtful to others? How can I be careful of this and more sensitive?
Suggested Reading
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers… Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Ephesians 4:29;31
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. “
John 8:31-32
Be careful with your words, but primarily with your mind; do not let evil thoughts start talking to you. Do not let your mouth say words that could perhaps wound your brother or sister. Let your mouth put forth words which are fragrant: words of consolation, courage and hope. It is a person’s words that reveal the interior, inner person.
Elder Ephraim of Philitheou
Think twice before you speak, because your words and influence will plant the seed of either success or failure in the mind of another.
Napoleon Hill
Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.
Pearl Strachan
Kind words do not cost much. They never blister the tongue or lips. They make other people good-natured. They also produce their own image on men’s souls, and a beautiful image it is.
Blaise Pascal
Words have a magical power. They can bring either the greatest happiness or deepest despair; they can transfer knowledge from teacher to student; words enable the orator to sway his audience and dictate its decisions. Words are capable of arousing the strongest emotions and prompting all men’s actions.
Sigmund Freud
Words are sometimes signs of ideas; sometimes of the want of them.
Eliza Cook
If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.
Walter Langer
If you want to rip the heart out of a democracy, you go after the facts. That’s what modern authoritarians do. You lie. All the time. Then, you say it’s your opponents and the journalists who lie.
Maria Ressa