The things we say have so much power. The jokes we make, the false truths we tell, and the things in which we choose to discuss, will shape the thought processes in our mind. How you speak of yourself, how you speak of and to others, whether good or bad; your words will impact your personal view of yourself, how you perceive others, and other people’s perception of you. Just like most people believe everything they see on TV… people also are more likely to believe in the things they hear from others, regardless of the real factual evidence? In other words, most people will believe something just because someone said it. I feel that the things we listen to and say, as well as the manner in which they are spoken to and by them, is one of the primary areas that will shape one’s personality, character, as well as the way others perceive them to be.
Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Why does the social media has such a powerful influence on the public? It is because everyone is listening to everything that flows from it and paying attention to the messages they relay across to the public, through the news reports and magazine stories. “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” – Malcolm X
It is how you communicate with someone that determines what they think of you. Knowing the right things to say, when to say it and how to say it, is very important in various instances when meeting people and developing relationships. I hold in high regard those who have the ability to think clearly while speaking, and it is commonly acknowledged that those who know how to speak intelligently often become leaders and speakers. This is why all (or most) intelligent people speak well with good diction; because how a person speaks is often a judge of their IQ.
The ability to speak eloquently using words that illustrate pictures in your mind is becoming a lost art. I feel this generation has basically placed a greater interest on using text messages and emails as the normal mode of communication, than they do on talking. I can honestly say that I have real friends who would rather text message me, than call me. Though I’ve been texting for years, I still have a hard time deciphering the text acronyms and symbols which are used to show feelings when sending messages. It has now become easier and more convenient to send a text message, or some type of post using one of the social networks like FaceBook and Twitter, more so than having a cordial dialogue with someone.
James 3:6 – And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life…
Is it not true that a positive person will generally speak positively, and a negative person will generally speak negatively? This is a great example that shows that a person is labeled by their speech. If you want to set the course of your life in the right direction, you need to start first with learning how to control your speech.
2 Corinthians 4:13 – But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak,
Understanding that you have the power to speak things into existence takes faith. We have to stop speaking perverse and profane language that is meant to either advocate profanity or the tearing down of others, and begin to speak the language of love and encouragement that is meant to build up people’s spirits.
I want other people to see me in the best light. I want to be highly regarded and respected wherever I go. So, I try to present myself in a way that invokes the impression I want to give off. And, I understand that my speech is not the only way that displays my identity and how others see me, so I try to keep up a clean appearance and wear nice clothes as well; nonetheless, I understand that the things in which I say are very important.
Fashion is all about identity; trying to wear something creative and different, giving a superficial impression of who you are to those who see you. And, the feeling that is felt when one is well-versed in their vocabulary, shows excellence in their speech… is somewhat similar to the feeling felt when one is wearing Armani clothes with Louis Vuitton accessories… you feel good, and there is a confidence and power in that. I challenge you to expand your vocabulary, and to start speaking LIFE into existence! Humility, confidence, gratitude.. let your words influence your future and the future of those around you!
