The cliff of the iconic Boneyard, or Palisades, on the Yukon River towered to one side of our boat. Every few minutes a puff of dust began near the top and built into a rolling cloud. Dirt, chunks of rock, and debris broke off and plummeted down the high ridge into the river. Deep crevices. Shallow cracks. Large caverns. And layers of permafrost sparkling in the summer sun.

We floated to the riverbank, examining a curved bone-like object protruding from the edge of the bank. An ancient mammoth tusk stuck out of the high cliff. I inspected the earthen wall in front of me. Not only were there large cracks and crevices, but there were small streams from higher openings continually carving paths, washing away the wall unsuspectingly.

I remembered our lesson from Wednesday night ladies group on the power of words. This cliff represented our hearts. Every crack. Each crevice. All the broken, random pieces. Words. Negative words. Harmful attacks. All eating caverns in our fragile hearts.

But then I thought of the water, trickling through and making new paths in the hard earth. Refreshing reminders. Blessings from friends. Encouragement from strangers. The power of positive words can leave a mark on our hearts as well.

My attention shifted to the mammoth tusk—a beautiful hidden jewel in the muck. The verse from Proverbs, “As iron sharpens iron,” flashed through. We need constructive words to cut away the mess from our hearts too. Words that will knock out the unneeded dust and dirt. That will reveal the jewels hidden deep inside, planted by Jesus Christ.

Floating away from the Boneyard, I thought about the words that escape from my lips and the ones that remain hidden but ultimately form in my heart. Even if these words are never said, eventually they will show up in the motivations, attitudes, or sinful choices in my life. Erosive channels will be left on someone else’s heart if I do not let God take control of my words. My mind. And my heart.

Words can erode. Words can create. Words can encourage. Words can berate.

What permanent paths will we leave behind today? Corrosion or formation?

Weakening or strengthening?

Words of life? Words of death?

There’s always a choice.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:7-12 (NIV)