MISTAKEN IDENTITY
The 1998 film, Stand and Deliver, portrays the true story of Jaime Escalante, who taught high school math in inner-city Los Angeles. On one occasion, Escalante had two students in his class named Johnny. One lad excelled in his studies and citizenship. In contrast, the other Johnny was a nuisance, who disrupted class, and rarely completed assignments.
At the first PTA meeting of the year, a mother approached Escalante and asked him how her son Johnny was doing. The teacher assumed she was referring to the better student and replied, “I can’t tell you how much I enjoy him. I’m so glad he’s in my class.”
The next day, the problem student came to Escalante and said, “My mom told me what you said about me. I’ve never had a teacher who wanted me in his class.” From that moment, the youth’s conduct dramatically shifted. He ceased his disruptive behavior and turned in his assignments on time, ultimately metamorphosing into one of Escalante’s favorites—all because of a case of mistaken identity. (Source: Dr. James Dobson’s Bulletin, November 1997).
Not every errant child will experience such a shift in behavior because of a few verbal accolades thrown their way. But most of us fail to recognize how powerful our words can be, transforming others positively or negatively. Proverbs 18:21 states, “The tongue has the power of life and death” (NIV). Likewise, Proverbs 15:4 observes. “Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit” (CSB). Perhaps that’s why Jesus taught, “On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36). All I can say is “Thank God for his grace,” because I utter far too many careless words.
Consider our relationships. How often do we speak words, that reflect “death”—failure, discouragement, or disappointment? Anyone can do that. But speaking life—encouragement, blessing and hope—demands discipline. Each day of our lives we encounter those, like young Johnny in our story, who simply need the right word at the right time to shift their thinking and change their lives. We can be instruments of God, speaking life; or tools of the enemy, declaring death.
Whether strangers on the street, or our family, pray for opportunities to speak life. Pray that we choose the right words. And pray for more cases of mistaken identity.
Principle: We need to speak words of life to everyone we encounter.
Ponder:
When has someone spoken words of life to you that had an impact on you?
In what relationships do you most need to speak life to others?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study Proverbs 15:1-7.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, forgive me for speaking “death” at times to others. Please show me how I might practice life-giving speech.
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