There is Power in a Spoken Word - What we say matters

                                   

Some years ago, during the gripping saga of the American presidential election, as it enters the final stretch. Something caught my attention during the campaign: Donald Trump was engulfed in a massive crisis because of something he said to a friend idly (whilst on a bus 11 years back then) when he thought it was just the two of them. However, what he said was actually picked up on a live microphone.

Increasingly, what often creates controversy is something a candidate "said" at some point. And usually it's been recorded by some technology of our time. All these things -- emails, telephone calls, Twitter, YouTube, SMS, Instagram, TikTok the list goes on and there are more coming -- they all capture and record something we "said" (even if it’s written).

                                    

Imagine 25-50 years from now (in the lifetime of most of us): The technology will be available to record virtually every spoken word by those who run for public office, allowing us to review it before making our choice on a candidate.

And as the technology evolves further, even ordinary people will be subjected to the same tests. I know companies today that will ask a job candidate to give them access to their social media footprint. Yes, they may look at things beyond FaceBook, Youtube or LinkedIn to learn more about you!

Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ said these words in Matthew 12:36-37:

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

                                

But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, non-working) word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

Increasingly, the technology exists to record "every idle word that men speak."
But as we have it through what has been destined to happened or by Divine arrangement, Donald Trump won that election, it can be said that he was "justified by his words." But his words continue hunting him untill he was ''condemned'' by losing to President Joe Biden in the year 2020 and up till now, his words are still hunting him.

Not to oversimplify an election campaign with lots of issues, or get into politics at all: Whoever or wherever you are, and whatever you do... Your own words can make you, or break you.

As you use Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, never forget these are "your words." Once you click that mouse, it’s gone! (You cannot recall, and you cannot delete). A permanent record exists. One day, that record will either justify you, or condemn you.

                                    

Words matter!

We must be careful about the things we say or do. Even our most idle comments are now a footprint of our character, for the whole world to see and judge.

A few weeks ago, I was having a meeting with a very important potential business partner, and he began by referring to something I’d said against corruption years ago. "Where did you get that?" I asked, quite surprised. "On YouTube," he replied.

Live your life as though everything you "say" is being recorded somewhere, and you may be called to account for it one day... It's not just a spiritual thing, anymore.
God bless you.

Credit: Strive Masiyiwa
The Executive Chairman, Econet Wireless