“Watch your mouth?”
Did your mother ever say this to you when she felt your words were sassy, disrespectful, or inappropriate? Mom was pretty smart—she knew that words matter.
Words have power. They can inspire, encourage, improve understanding, create solidarity, express love, soothe, foster reconciliation—or they can deeply wound, ruin friendships, severly damage family relationships, alienate allies. At their worst, inflammatory words can incite to violence and lead to war.
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech for each citizen. Some interpret that to mean that they can say or print anything they wish without regard to consequences. The Supreme Court has held that not to be true in all cases. For instance, one cannot use speech to create unnecessary panic or promote violence. In addition, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that “any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law”.
Over the past few decades we have witnessed a burgeoning incivility, rampant name-calling, and a growing lack of respect in how we talk about, and to, others. All one has to do to confirm this ugly trend is to read many social media posts and comments! In addition, some stunning examples can be found in the charges, allegations, and often vicious rhetoric indulged in by political figures about their competitors—or even whole groups of people they wish to demonize for their own personal gain and political aims. But these hateful, often misleading words can have dangerous and longterm consequences.
It is vitally important that we be attentive listeners, listening closely to the words of others with a discerning ear, cautious that we aren’t being influenced erroneously, that we aren’t letting others play on our fears or anxieties for their own ends. It is a never-ending task to separate the wheat from the chaff!
Flagrant disregard for the power of words, and a self-centered inattention in how we use our words, may not only hurt others and destroy our own peace and harmony, but poison our spirit in the process. This misalignment with all that is good and true and right can show up in very destructive and unexpected ways within our lives and relationships.
We must be vigilant and ever-conscious in using our words judiciously, “watching our mouths” that they don’t run away from us. The words we choose to utter should be those that promote better understanding, create unity, demonstrate love for all humankind, and that will ultimately bless—rather than injure—our world.
Did your mother ever say this to you when she felt your words were sassy, disrespectful, or inappropriate? Mom was pretty smart—she knew that words matter.
Words have power. They can inspire, encourage, improve understanding, create solidarity, express love, soothe, foster reconciliation—or they can deeply wound, ruin friendships, severly damage family relationships, alienate allies. At their worst, inflammatory words can incite to violence and lead to war.
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech for each citizen. Some interpret that to mean that they can say or print anything they wish without regard to consequences. The Supreme Court has held that not to be true in all cases. For instance, one cannot use speech to create unnecessary panic or promote violence. In addition, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that “any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence shall be prohibited by law”.
Over the past few decades we have witnessed a burgeoning incivility, rampant name-calling, and a growing lack of respect in how we talk about, and to, others. All one has to do to confirm this ugly trend is to read many social media posts and comments! In addition, some stunning examples can be found in the charges, allegations, and often vicious rhetoric indulged in by political figures about their competitors—or even whole groups of people they wish to demonize for their own personal gain and political aims. But these hateful, often misleading words can have dangerous and longterm consequences.
It is vitally important that we be attentive listeners, listening closely to the words of others with a discerning ear, cautious that we aren’t being influenced erroneously, that we aren’t letting others play on our fears or anxieties for their own ends. It is a never-ending task to separate the wheat from the chaff!
Flagrant disregard for the power of words, and a self-centered inattention in how we use our words, may not only hurt others and destroy our own peace and harmony, but poison our spirit in the process. This misalignment with all that is good and true and right can show up in very destructive and unexpected ways within our lives and relationships.
We must be vigilant and ever-conscious in using our words judiciously, “watching our mouths” that they don’t run away from us. The words we choose to utter should be those that promote better understanding, create unity, demonstrate love for all humankind, and that will ultimately bless—rather than injure—our world.