"Such malice was in them that men stepped back from him. He bared his teeth; and with a hissing breath he spat before the King's feet, and darting to one side, he fled down the stair." (The Lord of the Rings)

Grima Wormtongue: The Power of Words

When we come to Rohan we are introduced to several characters, most already mentioned and covered. Yet one we have not covered is Grima, or Wormtongue. He has somehow been able to worm his way into the confidence of King Theoden so as to be his councilor. It is in this role that Grima Wormtongue disables King Theoden to the point of near death and rules Rohan in his stead. This goes on, even though valiantly challenged by Eomer, the King's nephew (Eomer, sister-son). Theoden's own son dies in battle and Eomer is put in prison, at the word of Grima. Then something changes. Gandalf arrives with Aragorn, Legalos and Gimli. While the latter three can do no more for the king than offer their valiant services Gandalf challenges the king to think for himself, to dispel the poison that has so long been destroying his mind. Grima gets angry and tries to thwart even this attempt, but Gandalf has not come unaided. He has brought with him his staff. With the staff he is able to bring light into the room and dispel the darkness. And with that light a new light shines within Theoden King. This light is called truth and the king receives new vitality, and is released from the grip of the lies that had been destroying his mind. Grima is cast out and is found hiding out with Saruman later on, and when Saruman is cast out the two roam about as beggars, Grima still servant to his lord.

We see the same thing true in the Bible. The words spoken by the serpent in the Garden to deceive Eve brought the eventual downfall of mankind. The words spoken by false prophets and led Israel astray to follow false gods, to the point where they were both conquered and enslaved. And then, there are those words of defeat we hear in our own ears daily telling us how miserable we are, that God could not love us, or that we are beyond His reach, or that we shall never gain victory over some secret sin in our lives. These words carry power, power to destroy if given place in our hearts and minds.

We know that all words have power. They can be power for good or evil and it is important that we learn to use them for good. Just as Gandalf used his words for good and released the king from his anguish, may we also, by the Spirit of God, use our words for good, that God may come into the situation and bring about newness of life. May we realize within us, if we be children of God, that we are so by the GRACE and MERCY that God has extended towards us in Jesus, His Son. May we go out and allow God to fill our mouths with His words, words of truth, that those around us will "see a great light" and know that Jesus is not only THE truth but THEIR truth.

     "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."  (James 3:2-6)