When You Speak, Who Listens? James 3: 1-12

Several nights ago I watched the news at CNN and the one who was talking was USA Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.

I could not help but listen to the way she expressed her ideas to achieve peace process in the Middle East. I was sure that I was not the only one listening but the whole world listened.

Maybe some of you, like me, are avid fans of Oprah Winfrey. She demonstrates her power all over the world as an advocate for women’s issues; the most prominent black woman of her time, one of the wealthiest and most influential in matters of health, culture and philantrophy. She whooped up over 1 million new voters for  Barack Obama. When Oprah talks, people listen.

The most powerful woman in the world, German Chancellor Angela Merker, tops the list for the third year running as the ranking dramatically elected female leader. She’s such a newsmaker that when she talks the world listens.

Among our local leaders, PGMA , is the newsmaker. When she talks, though, not everybody listens.

In the world of entertainment, Actress Angelina Jolie, is a certified hit. Even her body language speaks a lot about her.

We can cite many personalities who can make people listen not because they’re world renowned, but most of all they make people listen.

How about YOU?  WHEN YOU SPEAK WHO LISTENS?

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S  DAY  is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements,  regardless of race and color, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential  and opportunities that await future generations of women.

TODAY, we do not only give tribute to the women of our times and generation but we also  remember and give tribute to the women of faith who until today serve as our inspiration and our guiding star in our faith journey.

We have MARY, mother of Jesus , who serves as our inspiration and best example of motherhood.  Her outstanding faith and gentle words made her stand out among all women.

We have Miriam, Deborah, both prophetesses, who devoted their ministry in the service of the Lord.

We also have Priscilla and Aquila, Paul’s fellow-workers’ who risked their lives for Christ.

We have Lois and Eunice, who brought up Timothy in the service of the Lord.

We have a long list more of biblical women who stood out and made a lot of difference among others whose ministries were mostly expressed in the kind and gentle words  they have shared with others esp. in preaching the good news .

My dear brothers in Christ you must have noticed that  those mentioned and given credits are mostly women.

Please give us this benefit of giving them special mention today, since it’s International Women’s Sunday.

WHAT REALLY MAKES ALL THESE WOMEN STAND OUT AND SPELL A DIFFERENCE?

Their secret? When they talk or speak, PEOPLE LISTEN. Whether they are aware of it or not, the Reality of Christ is spoken in their words.

The kind words, gentle words, gracious words they shared made a lot of difference.

Our text today talks about the kind of words that would make people listen and create an everlasting imprint in their lives.

First, gentle/kind words or answers can TURN AWAY WRATH. 

Through patience and kind words, a ruler can be persuaded; and a gentle word can break a bone. (Prov 25:15)

Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. (Job 4:4)

Last week we were apprehended by a traffic officer for swerving and my two friends and I tried our best speaking in gentle and kind words to appease the officer and let us go in peace but our words were of no use. P100 is more important to him than kind words.

Well, times have really changed but maybe, just maybe, our words were not good enough. 

Second,  The TONGUE OF THE WISE COMMENDS KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.

Moses was educated in wisdom and was powerful both in speech and action.

All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God put in his heart. (2 Chron 9:23)

ESTHER, who through her gentle words  of persuasion to the king, foiled Haman’s plan to exterminate the Jews.  (Est 3:4, 7 , 9)

DEBORAH, a prophetess, who settled disputes among the Israelites through tongue and wisdom entrusted to her by the Lord.(Judg 4:4)

Lois and Eunice, who instilled upon Timothy through words and example the fear and love of the Lord.

Mary, mother of Jesus, became the best example of motherhood  on earth through her gentle and soothing words expressed to many.

THIRD, GENTLE/KIND/ GRACIOUS WORDS COULD BRING ABOUT HEALING OF THE SICK AND COMFORT TO THE BROKENHEARTED.

JESUS healed the sick and comforted the brokenhearted through words of wisdom and compassion.

JOB  4:4  says, “Your  words have supported those who stumbled. You have strengthened faltering knees.”

On New Year’s eve, my father died. And forty days later, on Valentines day, my mother followed him to be with our Creator.

A week after my father’s death, my husband, CESAR, got very sick and almost died from diabetes complications. He was twice resuscitated by the doctors and when that happened all I could do was call up my loved ones, and everyone within my reach, through cellphone, and begged them to pray for Cesar’s miraculous healing.

Our prayers practically opened the floodgates of heaven and our prayers were heard. Yes, before my very eyes, a miracle happened. Cesar was literally brought back to life.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone  who prayed with us for the miraculous healing and those who physically were present and condoled with us during our time of bereavement.

I facilitated the CWA Bible last Thursday, and I shared with them my battles during our dilemma. I told them that was the first time I found courage to face a fellowship.

For a while, after my mother’s death, I suffered  from mild attacks of depression and I was brought to the emergency hospital every now and then for erratic blood pressure, infections and allergies.

Many times all I wanted was continuous sleep hoping that everything would go back to normal when I woke up. But even in my bouts of depression I could feel God’s presence lifting me up and gently telling me to move on.

Now, I’m slowly recovering and coping and I’m sure with GOD’s help and your prayers, I’ll be on my toes again sooner than expected. Your gentle and comforting words have sped up our healing process and broken-heartedness. 

FOURTH, GENTLE/KIND/GRACIOUS WORDS COULD BRING ABOUT EARTHLY TREASURES AND RICHES IN HEAVEN

KING  SOLOMON, who took heed of God’s word and lived by it, was greater in riches in all the kingdom of the earth. (2 Chron  9:23)

JOB, a blameless and upright man, who lived by God’s word, was blessed with seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred oxen, five hundred donkeys and a large number of servants. (Job 1:3)

“The lord is the sure foundation of your times, a rich store of salvation, of wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”(Isa 33:6)

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, where thieves do not break in or steal. For wherever your treasure is, your heart will also be.”  (Matt 6:20-21)  

ON THE CONTRARY, WORDS OF UNKINKINDNESS, HARSH AND UNGRACIOUSNESS COULD YIELD NEGATIVE OR THE EXACT  OPPOSITE  RESULTS.

The tongue , which is the source of all the words coming out from our mouth, could yield negative results.

This maybe a small part of our body, but it could make great boasts. It is like a small spark that could set fire to a great forest.

The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It can corrupt the whole person, set the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Even just a simple harsh word coming out from our mouth can stir up anger. Deceitful words crush one’s spirit.

Out of the same mouth we praise Our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men , who have been made in God’s likeness.

For awhile I watched the American program, MOMENT OF TRUTH. This is a program wherein American participants are tested to their wits end to answer questions truthfully. If they do, they receive a handsome prize in thousands of dollars. But if they fail to tell the truth they lose their prize altogether.

According to statistics, after the end of every program many relationships are broken because of the untruthful or deceitful answers of the participants.

It is like washing one’s dirty linens in public while the whole world watches and listens.

BROTHEERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST  you have only two choices with the use of your tongues.

You can either make everyone  listen and  create a positive impact in the lives of men or create a tiny spark and  make a hell out of it

THE CHOICE  IS  YOURS ! A   m     e    n   -