Communication and the POWER of the word

Matthew 12:35-37  The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. ³⁶I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; ³⁷for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Tonight I was reminded of how sensitive communication in this age of social media and "talk" without being face to face can be.  In an email, I responded to another email--no intent but to acquire information and to help determine if there was anything I could think of to address the concerns. 

Tonight these questions were addressed, but I found that instead of my intent of gathering information, my questions were seen as a threat and accusing of something that I certainly did not intend.  I know that I am responsible for what I say, and in many ways responsible for what people understand me to say.  However, how can I take that responsibility when I don't know how these words are received?  I was blindsided tonight, accused of some things that I take great offense to, and now with a couple hours since it occurred calming down enough to move forward.

Email, texting, facebook conversations serve their purpose--but they don't serve every purpose.  I made a mistake of utilizing email in response to an email.  That may make sense to do, but I know better, at least I thought I did.  What I asked with little emotion but concerned was received in a totally different way.  Without tone of voice, body language, "conversation"-my email was received in a way I did not intend. 

But it is so easy to just shoot an email or a text, or post--but the follow up to the misunderstanding of said sent could take up more time and energy than it would if I had just called or scheduled a meeting. 

I am sorry for my part in this, and at the same time hurt by what was said tonight.  In part I understand, but that doesn't help with the feelings. 

So now I recommit to listening, which means I have to hear with my ears.  Not my fingers or reading between lines.  Words and tongues hurt, they can steer us in directions we do not wish to go.  This may take more time, and responses won't come as quick--but that may not be all bad.

So I ask for prayers, for forgiveness of myself and for hurt words I heard.  Begin now, and don't read anything into this or "try to figure out what I'm talking about."  Just take it as a lesson learned and shared.  And next time you consider texting, messaging, emailing--ask yourself before you hit send--how could someone else receive this--is there anyway it could be misinterpreted?  Be responsible for your words--for they can justify or condemn you!

Pastor Julie