Angry Words

In 1867, Haratio Richard Palmer, choir director for the Second Baptist Church wrote the song that bears the above title, and contains these beautiful lyrics:

Angry words! O let them never From the tongue unbridled slip;

May the heart's best impulse ever Check them ere they soil the lip.

Love is much too pure and holy, Friendship is too sacred far,

For a moment's reckless folly Thus to desolate and mar.

Angry words are lightly spoken, Bittrest tho'ts are rashly stirred,

Brightest links of life are broken By a single angry word.

Love one another thus saith the Savior,

Children obey the Father's blest command.

I read recently about an event that occurred in the 1960's where Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the United States. He was engaged in talks with the mayor of the state of California and during the course of their conversation, Premier Khrushchev became intimidated and enraged. In a fit of anger, the Russian Premier said this, "The missiles are on the launching pads, a few more words of insult, and I will push the button."

It's amazing to me that someone could actually become so angry that they would even consider a course of action that would lead to the death of millions of innocent people. Nevertheless, this little story reminds us of the fact that angry words penetrate the heart, and cause men to say and or do things that they might not otherwise say or do.

In both the Old and New Testaments we are given verses that urge us to "be careful little mouth what we say." In the Old Testament we read, "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few" (Eccl. 5:2). The New Testament passage that comes to mind says, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (Jas. 1:19).

In the Old Testament, our eyes focus on the word "rash." This word comes from a Hebrew word translated "suddenly alarmed or agitated." In the New Testament passage we focus on the word "wrath." This word means "violent passion." Contextually it is a reference to words of violence and or words that would lead to violence.

Look closely at the word "anger." Did you ever think about the fact that this word is just one letter away from the word "danger?" One person described anger as an acid. It not only damages that which it is poured on, but it equally, if not more so, damages the container in which it is stored. Anger is truly danger.

Anger within the heart destroys the heart. Angry words that come from our lips will destroy relationships. When James wrote his little epistle he describes the tongue as a fire and a world of iniquity.

An angry tongue can destroy friendships. It can bring pain to and divide the church. It will cause the home to suffer heartache. One individual wrote it down this way:

A careless word may kindle strife;

A cruel word may wreck a life.

A bitter word may hate instill;

A brutal word may smite and kill.

Let's work hard to watch our words. We should be positive Christians that add to the lives of our neighbors, friends, family, and the church. We don't want to tear down--we want to build up. Remember, we will one day be judged by our words (Mt. 12:36).