You Can Change Their World

There’s a viral video on YouTube of a blind man with a sign asking for change. A few people give him change as they pass by. A woman walks up, flips his sign over and writes on it before she walks off. Soon after, everyone walking by starts to give money. When the lady returns, he asks her what she wrote. She replied, “I wrote the same, but different words.” A message then pops up and says, “Change your words. Change your world.” It’s a great message of just how powerful words are.

If you’re like me, you grew up singing, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I think back on that saying and wonder why that lie exists. Words often hurt worse than sticks or stones and they cut a lot deeper. The words you and I speak can be used for good or bad. Proverbs 18:21 says, “What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words. (GNB)” We hold the power of life and death in our words.

As believers, we must be cognizant of the words we use. While according to James 3:8, no man can tame the tongue, we can be more purposeful in the words we choose to use. Proverbs 12:14 says, “Wise words bring many benefits.” The opposite is true as well. Poorly chosen words bring problems. There’s not one of who can’t attest to that. We’ve all used the wrong words at one time or another and have had to live with the consequences. Personally. I’d rather live with benefits than consequences.

When we use our words to bring life and benefits, we change our world and the world of those around us. In the video, the words she used changed how others saw a blind man. How will your words change how others see that person at work, at the park, at your kids game or at church? You may never know how much your words can affect someone else’s life because even if that person never hears you, others do. Their actions toward that person based on your words can make that change.

What words will you choose today? How can you change the invisible sign that others are holding up? Everyone wants to feel important and the words you say can go a long way to helping someone who is down and feeling insignificant. Find one person today that you can change their sign by the words you use. Find one person who you can use wise words with to bring benefits and life. When you do, you won’t just change their world, you’ll change yours too.

If you’d like to watch that video, you can click here.