As I drove to work yesterday morning, I listened to an interview. The interview itself wasn’t really important. In fact, I don’t know who the person was being interviewed. I turned on the radio in the middle of the interview and missed most of what was being said.

What attracted my attention was the word the person used after each question. He began each answer with “So.” By the time the interview was over, he had answered a number of questions with each beginning with “So.”

During the recent Ebola scare, Martha and I were listening to an interview about the disease. It was about this very important subject and the interviewees were very thoughtful and intelligent people. These three men all began their answers with “So.”

“So” seems to have become the new “uh” or “you know.” It’s one of those habits we pick up when we don’t really know what to say, “you know?”

On the list of bad things to do this comes near the bottom. It’s no big deal. The only problem is I’ve become so conscious of “So” that I’m afraid I’ll pick up the same habit.

While the word “So” is not going to make or break us, there are many words which will.

Our words do help and they do hurt. Therefore, pick your words wisely.

The Bible gives us guidance about our speech. We are to use it build up and not to tear down. Our words are to be fitly spoken. They are to please God.

Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus to think about their words and to use them for good and for God. “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29).

In the next verse Paul warned believers not to grieve the Holy Spirit by their words or actions. Could it be that your words and the tone of your voice bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit?

Paul ended the paragraph by encouraging the Ephesians to get rid of “all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words. . . Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. . .” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Your words really do matter. Make them count for God.

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