The Power of Your Words Potpourri, Part 1
Ray and Steve begin a 2-part episode on the power of what we say…or something like that. There tends to be some tangential discussions here, but all somehow related (albeit distantly) to the subject of the power of our words.
So often, the notion that what we say can actually affect our lives gets relegated to the box of “new age” or “positive thinking” (ironically, a term that’s usually spoken with negative implications by Christians) or “word of faith”. Putting this concept in those boxes allows many to dismiss the concept without giving it much thought.
Ray and Steve discuss scriptural concepts regarding the power of the spoken word, however, and toss around ideas related to the notion that what we say does, in fact, have an effect — positive or negative.
Join us next week for the conclusion to this discussion.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:42 — 30.0MB) | Embed
August 7th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Ha! You’re right that I wanted to comment on the biology part of conversation. But, really, our conclusions are that different even if our reasons are different. Yes, humans are special because of our ability to communicate, reason, and use tools. Other species can do these things as well and to surprising levels of sophistication, but we do it best. The fact that other species can do these things, for me, is sufficient reason to give them moral consideration. The danger in believing we’re different from other animals because we possess something supernatural is that we can too easily dismiss other species from moral consideration.
Sometimes I feel like I should entitle my comments “Beyond the Topic”…
Great first half, guys. I’m looking forward to part II. Personally, I think people’s words reflect their thoughts – if their words are negative, then so are their thoughts. That’s a recipe for unhappiness. So I focus on thinking positively. This can change one’s quality of life. Thus it’s thoughts that have power over one’s life, in my opinion.
On a final note, I truly feel sorry for those men that have to choose between their spouse and pornography. I have even more pity for those who are racked by unnecessary guilt for their natural urges. In that case, religion is the problem, not the porn.
August 7th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Sid, thanks for the comment.
Based on the rest of that paragraph, I assume that you meant that conclusions are not that different?
I disagree that believing in the supernatural leads to a dismissal of other species from moral consideration, however. In fact, I believe a healthy belief in supernatural things would lead to a healthy respect for all beings, not just humans. After all, if I believe that everything I see has been created by my Father, I will respect all of it.
I do agree with you completely that words reflect thoughts, and I actually had intended to bring that up in the discussion at some point, but it slipped my mind when we were recording. Jesus said the same thing: Out of the abundance of a man’s heart, he speaks. So changing our thoughts is a good way to change our speech. I think that it can work in reverse, too — what we allow ourselves to speak will affect what we think. Therefore, if I continue to speak positively, even while my thoughts are trying to go in a negative direction, I will take my own thoughts captive and retrain them toward the positive.
Regarding your last paragraph, I understand why you say what you say, given your perspective, but I think it’s better to respect those who believe that pornography represents a moral issue. It has nothing to do with urges being “natural” or not. Natural urges can still be expressed in unhealthy means, and if one believes that pornography is not a healthy outlet for their “natural urges”, then that is respectable and should be respected by others.
As an example, the desire for food is a “natural urge”. But if I satisfy that urge by eating lots of unhealthy foods, that will create problems (and indeed has created lots of problems in western culture, both for individuals and for society as a whole). And if one feels guilt about their bad eating habits, we shouldn’t feel sorry for them. We should encourage them in their desire to change, regardless of our own views about their eating habits.
My comments about pornography were not based on religion, but based on personal beliefs about the effect pornography would have on my most cherished and most important human relationship — my marriage. I don’t “have to choose” — I choose to choose.
August 7th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Well, I just took a long walk up a mountain while listening to you two, and another podcast as well. It’s been a long, dark, rainy week, and I got up with a bad attitude this morning. Although I have gone decades longer than all of my relatives, a hereditary kidney disease, according to my doctor, is heading for failure. I have to say, I have gained a lot from communion with Father about all of this, letting go of expectations, but not expectancy. I have been learning to live one day at a time, and continue to live a healthy life. Learning to live loved… and detoxing from religion. But, sometimes I get to stinkin’ thinkin’. What a great time, walking high up the mountain, where many folks half my age aren’t able to walk….. and living today just fine, thank you! Thanks so much for the reminders of the facts, the truth. We can’t add one day to our lives by worry or fear, but in fact, we can (a little biology here) make ourselves sick with wrong focus. Who knows what tomorrow might bring….. but eternity has already begun. Thanks guys. I look forward to part 2.
August 7th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Heather, thanks for your comments and encouraging words about our podcast. Living one day at a time is absolutely a great way to live, and is consistent with what Jesus taught.
Interesting how, on the one hand, we look at humans as superior in their capabilities, and yet Jesus pointed out that the birds of the air don’t worry about things, but just go on in the provision given them. Maybe with superior communication, technological abilities, etc. comes a double-edged sword — the temptation to worry! How we must resist that.
August 14th, 2009 at 9:14 am
[…] speak and how it affects what we believe and experience. If you haven’t already listened to part 1, go listen to that […]
August 19th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Your comments about avoiding sins of the flesh (e.g. pornography) are spot-on. Although I think filtering and accountability software are great tools, they don’t work alone. You must know and confess that you are free of that crap.