Few people realize the importance of the words they speak. There is almost no way to exaggerate the importance of what we say. However, most people hardly think about it, usually speaking without thinking.

Inspirational classic author Og Mandino once wondered, “Why, then, do so many of us go out of our way to offend others with offensive criticism and judgments that so often come back to haunt us? Why do we allow our big mouths to to dig furrows in our way so deep that our advance is finally nil?

He went on to comment, “If your tongue has been busy piling up enemies for you, enemies you don’t need and can hurt you, now is as good a time as many to cease and desist. your great potential.”

Another well-known classic and inspirational author described the worst effects of criticism on recipients. Dale Carnegie, in his book entitled “How to Win Friends and Influence People” articulates that “Criticism is useless because it puts a man on the defensive and usually makes him struggle to justify himself. Criticism is dangerous because it wounds the precious heart of man”. pride, hurts his sense of importance and arouses resentment in him.”

My dear readers, Dale Carnegie remembers: “In dealing with people, let us remember that we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotions, creatures full of prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.” He warns that making “criticism is a dangerous spark, a spark that can cause an explosion in the powder keg of pride, an explosion that sometimes hastens death.”

Carnegie went on and gave a very good example in his earlier statements: “General Leonard Wood was criticized and not allowed to go with the army to France. That blow to his pride probably shortened his life. Bitter was what led to Thomas Chatterton , English poet, Suicide.”

I remember that the Greek philosopher, Phytagoras, once said: “A tongue wound is worse than a sword wound, because the latter affects only the body, the former affects the spirit.”

In the Bible, James, the disciple of Jesus Christ, gave a warning about the evil poison of the tongue. He described some who try to use their tongue to praise and bless God, and then turn to use their tongue to speak ill of one another. “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be so” (James 3:9-10). We cannot use our tongue to curse and speak ill of our brothers, and then continue “as usual” with our relationship with God. The Bible clearly says that such behavior with the tongue is characteristic of hypocrites. “The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor …” (Prov. 11: 9).

The great teacher of all times, The Lord Jesus Christ revealed to us that our words are important. In the book of Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus exclaimed: “But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment men will have to give an account for every idle word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be doomed” (NIV).

Certainly, my dear readers, this is not a negative message. When we understand the importance and power of our words, we can use them for good. God’s Word clearly says “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21 NIV). James, the disciple of Jesus Christ, adds: “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes a big show of it. Consider what a great forest catches fire from a small spark. Also the tongue is fire, a word of evil among the members of the body. He corrupts the whole person, sets fire to his entire lifetime, and sets himself on fire through hell” (NIV).

The above texts mean that life is controlled by words. I repeat, life is controlled with words. Words release authority. Words determine the course of events. The words matter. What should you do about it?

Ellen G. White, one of the great founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, gave very good and inspiring answers to the above question. In her book titled “Ministry of Healing” she encouraged us to “Cultivate the habit of speaking well of others. Reflect on the good qualities of those with whom you associate, and see as little as possible of their mistakes and failures.”

She encouraged us further: “When you are tempted to complain about what someone has said or done, praise something in that person’s life or character. Cultivate gratitude. Praise God for his amazing love in giving Christ for to die for us.”

And for those who enjoy and scoff at criticism, he warned: “Bad speaking is a double curse, falling more on the speaker than on the listener. He who sows the seeds of dissension and strife reaps in his own soul the mortal fruits”. . The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look on. By dwelling on the faults of others, we are transformed into the same image.”

She encouraged “Instead of criticizing and condemning others, say, ‘I must work on my own salvation. If I cooperate with the One who desires to save my soul, I must take diligent care of myself. I must become a new creature in Christ. So instead of weakening those who fight evil, I can strengthen them with words of encouragement.” And she added: “We are too indifferent to each other. Too often we forget that our coworkers need strength and sympathy. Help them with your prayers and let them know that you do.”

James affirmed that “if anyone believes himself to be religious and does not restrain his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is vain” (James 1:26 NIV).

People remember that no one knows when life ends. Our life is like a vapor that appears for a moment and then disappears! That’s why I encouraged you, don’t let your life die like an insect without doing something good for yourself and your fellow men.

Rebecca Barlow Jordan recalls: “It’s not how much you achieve in life that really counts, but how much you give to others. It’s not how many goals you reach, but how many lives you touch. Believe in the impossible, hold on to the incredible, and live each day.” full potential. You can make a difference in your world.”

Before concluding with my article, I would like to share with you a brief history of Bird Song.

Sufi Bayazi says this about himself: “I was a revolutionary when I was young, and all my prayers to God were… ‘Lord, give me the energy to change the world.’

As I approached middle age and realized that half my life was gone without changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to… “Lord, give me the grace to change everyone I came in contact with.” Just my family and friends, I’ll be happy.”

Now that I am an old man and my days are remembered, my only prayer is “Lord, give me the grace to change MYSELF.”

If I had prayed for this from the beginning, I shouldn’t have wasted my life.

My prayer and goal to God is that this article that I have written here will help you and help you improve your life to become a productive individual, a source of encouragement, and a source of inspiration to other people!

Once again, I encouraged you not to let your life die like a bug without doing something good for yourselves and your fellow man. Use your life as a source of encouragement and a source of inspiration for other people!

Remember that life is so short! So use it for a productive, meaningful, and peaceful life with yourself and your fellow human beings.

“For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable… if something is excellent or praiseworthy… think about such things ” (Philippians 4:8 NIV) ).

I wish you many blessings to come and may God bless you!

Moises Padin Reconalla