Words

Shawn McCraney teaches that words hold significant power, as they can either give life and encouragement or cause harm and death, emphasizing the necessity to control our speech and be mindful of the impact our words have, as outlined in biblical passages such as James chapter 3 and the teachings of Jesus. Furthermore, sentiments like hate and anger are deeply connected to destructive actions, highlighting the need for wisdom and peace in our interactions and communication.

Jesus and John equate emotions like hate and anger with murder and judgment, indicating that our use of mean or unkind words functions as a form of verbal assassination driven by revenge, envy, fear, or power to suppress these feelings and maintain control. To navigate our judgments and perceptions of others and ensure effective communication, it's essential to introspectively examine our motives and engage in more mindful, kind interactions.

Verbal cruelty and unkindness, according to this teaching, are subtle forms of murder driven by envy, fear, and a desire to exert power over perceived threats or inferiors, aiming to eliminate the threat and reinforce one's own beliefs or lifestyle. In the context of Christianity and religious communities, such actions serve as cautionary tales against leaving the group or challenging established doctrines, leading others to feel justified in their meanness—an indirect but powerful tool for social and spiritual control.

Shawn highlights the power of words by showing how Jesus' ministry of truth challenged the established order, leading to hostility and ultimately His crucifixion, while emphasizing the choice individuals have to either spread condemnation or offer words of hope that promote life and transformation. Encouraging the use of words to uplift and instill faith, Shawn stresses the importance of speaking truth with the aim of sustaining life, rather than causing harm, echoing the belief that every spoken word carries weight and accountability.