Words Matter
March 2, 2009 by Lillie
“Actions speak louder than words.”
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”
Do words matter?
If you believe the above quotes … not much.
If you’ve ever been called crazy, weirdo, bizarre … you know words matter, a lot.
credit: kimberlyfaye
If you’ve ever been told, “I love you” … you know words matter, a lot.
If you’ve ever been inspired or touched or educated by something you read … you know words matter, a lot.
Words matter so much, John described Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as The Word.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. ~ John 1:1-3 NIV
Oh, yes, Words Matter!
March 2-6, 2009 is Words Matter Week, sponsored by the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE).
NAIWE has invited writers and bloggers to answer the question Do words matter? If you want to participate, write your post and add your link on the NAIWE Newswire.
Do you believe words matter?
Words do matter, Lillie and we should glad that we can speak, read, write and listen to all those difference words, as some of the unfortunate people didn’t have the chance to do it at all!
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wilson,
We do have amazing access to words through all sorts of venues—some great, some good, and some not-so-good.
I think words do matter a great deal. Although it is true a picture is worth a thousand words; however, sometimes it is much better to know exactly the interpretation or train of thought is trying to be transcended. Kind of like a birthday card, the creative, colorful picture on the front of the card, but the words inside in my opinion will make or break the card.
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Jefferson,
The example of a card is excellent. Pictures and words go together and enhance the other. A good cover is important for a book, and a relevant graphic is good for a blog post. We need both.
Hi Lillie – This is so true. Words are so powerful. People are influenced by them all the time – especially in the media, which is maybe not always a good thing.
Cath,
True—words can be used for good or evil. Words can start wars, and words can bring peace.
Often words are used by people, including the media, to persuade. There’s nothing wrong with persuasion … unless it’s being done by institutions and individuals who are supposed to be providing accurate information rather than biased ideology.
If words didn’t matter, we wouldn’t have jobs. If words didn’t matter, verbal abuse wouldn’t exist, nor would harassment. Attorneys would have no function. A killer’s confession would never be heard. A love’s last words would be ignored.
Yes, they matter.
Great examples of how words matter, Lori. Thanks.
Great post Lillie! Loved your twist to the quotes. And yes, when words inspire, help, hurt or touch us in any way, we learn how much they matter. When empty words travel all around us, they don’t. But from those meaningless sounds to the conclusion words in general don’t matter, there’s a long road I don’t really follow!
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Alina,
You make a good point about meaningless chatter. There’s an awful lot of lot in the world today.
Words indeed matter a lot. Words have a power of their own, so potent that it can move almost anything…
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Choose (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
Words can indeed exert a potent power, sometimes far beyond what the person who said or wrote those words intended or realized.
I believe that action speaks louder than words. Some time words have their importance more than action. Action make feel happy and the words are soul of actions.
moving (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
Sometimes actions may speak louder than words. The actions of a man who says “I love you” then beats his wife senseless obviously speaker louder than the words in that case. However, I don’t think actions always speak louder than words.
The old saying sticks and stones will hurt my bones but words can never, is so un-true we all know that words are so important and sometimes they hurt the worst, sometimes sticks and stones would do less damage than words.
Va (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
You are so right. Cruel words can cause tremendous pain.
I agree that Actions do not always speak louder than words and that the saying “words can never hurt me” is not really true.
I think it is often easier to gauge someones character based off of their actions though, because actions offer something that is closer to tangible proof than words do. Of course the easiest and quickest route isn’t always the best, but I think it is the route most traveled by many…
Good point, Brad, that it is easier to judge someone by their actions. People can say words they don’t mean, and unless you know the person, it may not be easy to recognize they are not sincere.
Thanks for letting us know about this special week, Lillie.
Nicely put regarding the words of Jesus Christ too. I have met people who said that He was a good man, a fine teacher, and a wonderful example, but they still refuse to call Him Lord.
Others try to diminish who He is, but I like to point out to them what Jesus said about Himself in John 14:7 — “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
Clearly, words mattered to Jesus — God doesn’t want us to be confused as to who He really is.
Matt,
I’m reminded of what C.S. Lewis said (paraphrased). Jesus is either the Lord, a liar, or a lunatic. He didn’t leave us the option of considering Him just a great teacher. As you say, He Himself told us who He is.
Words do matter to an extent. If all you get is words and no action behind it, words cease to mean things. Someone who says “I love you” all the time and yet is constantly a jerk, he undermines his words. Jesus Chrsit could be called “the Word” because He fully backed up everything he said.
Good point, Jeff. Insincere words don’t matter the same way sincere words do.
I word can kill, a word can heal…this is a universal truth, i believe that the words are very important and have a great impact on us, always mind what you saying.
Jewelicious,
Good advice to always mind what we say. Sometimes we don’t think and say things we don’t really mean that are hurtful to others, and sometimes we are busy and don’t say the important things others need to hear.
In the beginning there were only words…. until 35 years when I got married…then words slowly started to be replaced by numbers… and after one child now….there are only numbers in the form of lists, bank balance, budgets, loans…..
Soham,
That’s a cute way of looking at it. Numbers can take over our lives.
I think there is nothing more powerful than words. Our words can plant seeds of faith in others which can then grow to a life dedicated to Christ. And, on the other side, words can start wars and destroy lives as well.
Quality (if you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
So true. What a privilege to plant seeds of faith!
I agree 100%. There was a man two thousand years ago that changed the world for the better with his words. And about 70 years ago there was a man who tried (and failed) to take over the world with his words.
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Danny,
Great examples of the power of words. Thanks for sharing.
The Bible wouldn’t talk about the power of the tongue if words weren’t important.
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You’re right, Bluestocking.
This is so true, Lillie. And you chose one of my favorite Bible verses!
*smiles*
Michele
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Michele,
Obviously, it’s one of my favorite verses, too!
I believe that words matter because we allow them to matter. But it’s really hard not to..
Andrew,
I think we’re emotionally wired to have words matter to us so we can’t completely avoid it.
Words do matter, but for me our actions can over do words in some aspects.What do you think?
Sriraj,
There are times when actions do, in fact, speak louder than words. But words do matter.
Wonderful post Lillian, sad, but so true. Actions are important, but just as equally as words.
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Jayson,
We can’t really separate words and actions. Sometimes one is louder than the other, but usually they work together.
I think words are important and words matter, but actions speak louder than words
Andy,
In some circumstances, words matter more; in other circumstances, actions matter more. It depends on the situation, the words, and the actions.
I strongly believe too that Words Matter! It can make or break a person. So, in everything, words must be carefully and tactfully used.
Absolutely, Chrissy. Too often, we’re careless with words.
Yes, very true Lillie as I also think that words do matter a lot and you should carefully use them against the person in front of you, no matter then person is known to you or just a stranger. Words cannot be taken back just like an arrow cannot return back.
Kevin,
Too often we speak hastily and thoughtlessly and don’t realize the damage we are doing.