RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

One year before the collapse of the Soviet Union, I preached the first national crusade in Moldova, one of the country’s republics. There was a great sense of expectation. When I preached in the national stadium that first Sunday, no one knew what to expect. The atmosphere was charged. The news media was present to capture that historic moment.
One reporter had an extremely relevant question: “Do you really think you can change lives simply through your words?” As I pondered the question, I realized she had grown up as an atheist. She lived in a nation where everyone was taught there is no God. It must have seemed incredible to her that I would attempt to change lives, and even a nation, through the public speaking. Soviet citizens were accustomed to lives being changed by the power of military weapons, not the power of words.
I responded to the reporter, “Yes, I believe we will see lives changed by the words that I speak today.” I could speak so confidently not because of my eloquence, but because of the power of the message of the gospel that I would deliver. Enough years have passed since that day for me to reflect on my response and know if it was accurate.
The editor of the first Christian magazine in Moldova is a woman whose life was changed by the message I delivered that day. Several missionaries and Christian workers were atheists before they heard that message. Men and women have traveled to other regions of the former Soviet Union because of what they heard that day. Yes, mere words that one day changed the direction of hundreds and even thousands of lives.
When we think of the power of words, this should cause us to be extremely careful about which words we use. Our words can build up or tear down. They can bring life and peace — or death and destruction. The person who learns to bless others with their words will be very wise and contribute greatly to their family and to society.
The Scriptures say, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26). The test of the purity of our hearts lies in our words. How we use our tongues reveals what kind of Christianity we are living. If we can have victory in this area, we can conquer any spiritual foe we face.
We can build or destroy a child’s esteem by our words. Through our communication we can construct a healthy marriage or destroy deep relationships. So it’s imperative to bring this little instrument, the human tongue, under the control of the Holy Spirit. The question is: “How do we do that?”
First, speak the truth. Jesus is the truth. When we speak of the Savior, we can see lives changed for eternity. When the Holy Spirit works in our lives, He will always glorify Jesus. So we ought to speak of the Savior at every opportunity. Second, say only what blesses people, rather than curses them. Say those things that will build people up, not tear them down. Third, when you begin to feel anger, place a bridle over your tongue. Determine to count to thirty before you respond. Much damage is done when we speak too quickly. Finally, ask the Holy Spirit to take control of your speech. Ask Him to give you the power to speak only those things that please the Father.
As we give control of our tongues to God, we will not only find pure faith, but we will also see lives changed. Yes, lives can be changed by the words we speak — if we speak in the power of the Holy Spirit and say only those things that honor and please God.