This morning while I was running on the treadmill, I watched four different news shows at the same time. It is odd that I and the rest of North America have come to see this as normal. We have so much information coming at us and those that provide the news have the pressure to fill 24 hours a day with information. In the process they can and often do say things poorly. In the midst of so much tragedy and pain, it seems that the news media is not simply telling about it. It seems that they are making it worse.
We all must be careful about what we say. Words have power and they can really do damage.
Jesus made a big deal about words. He said in Matthew 12:34–37 (ESV) "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Years ago I heard Rick Warren talk about the impact that electronic and social media has had on people's lives and how careful we must be. He said something to the effect that in this age information is instant, global and permanent. Our words go out fast, they reach lots of people and they remain.
Let's pray for our words.
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