The Wake-Up Call: A Lesson in Wisdom from Chick-fil-A on the Power of Words

Host: John David Walt (with guests David Walt and others)
Date: January 10, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode centers on the transformative power of words, drawing wisdom from Proverbs 10 and everyday experiences—including a surprising lesson from Chick-fil-A. The conversation explores how our speech can be a fountain of life or a source of destruction, encouraging listeners to reflect on the spiritual and relational implications of their daily language.

1. Main Theme & Purpose

• The episode is a call for daily awakening and intentionality, inviting listeners to reorient their words and actions around the love and wisdom of Jesus.
• The central focus is the biblical teaching on the power and significance of speech, how words can build up or tear down, and practical ways to apply this wisdom—highlighted through a comparison between standard customer service replies and Chick-fil-A’s signature phrase.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of the Tongue in Scripture

[02:00–05:00]

• Reading of Proverbs 10:11–21, emphasizing themes such as:

  • "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence."
  • "Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning."
  • "The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the lips of the righteous nourish many."

• Reflection:

  • Our words have immense capacity—to create, heal, affirm, or destroy.
  • "Our words may be the greatest power we possess." (John David Walt, 05:10)

Practical Application: Ephesians & James on Speech

[05:30–07:00]

• Ephesians 4:29 is highlighted:
  • Don’t let unwholesome talk come out, only words that build up.
• James 1:26 is quoted:
  • If you can’t control your tongue, your “religion is worthless.”

Key Takeaways:

• Gossip, sarcasm, and negativity are named as examples of speech that tear down.
• Affirmation, encouragement, and calling people by name are ways language can nurture.
• “Our words can create a context of life or an environment of death. Our every word matters.” (John David Walt, 06:55)

The Chick-fil-A Example: "My Pleasure" vs. "No Problem"

[07:15–08:30]

• Contrast between casual customer service responses at restaurants:

  • Most respond to "thank you" with "no problem"—a phrase using negative words.
  • Chick-fil-A’s response: "My pleasure"—imbuing the exchange with dignity and joy.

• Analysis:

  • “Those two little words brighten up the room. Every time they say it… it reinforces to the customer that service is a pleasure. Every time they say it, it reinforces to the employee that service is a privilege. Words create worlds.” (John David Walt, 08:20)

• Application: What would it look like if we extrapolated this intentionality into 20 other daily situations?

3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Power of Words:
  • "To be created in God's image means in some sense our words are imbued with great power. Our words can create or they can destroy." (John David Walt, 04:30)
• On Affirming Speech:
  • "Words of encouragement build people up. Words of affirmation and blessing build people up. Calling people by their name builds people up." (John David Walt, 06:36)
• On Chick-fil-A's Model:
  • “Every time they say [‘my pleasure’], it reinforces to the customer that service is a pleasure… Words create worlds.” (John David Walt, 08:22)
• On Life and Death:
  • “You don’t need to be afraid to die... The best is yet to come.” (John David Walt, 14:03, quoting John Wesley)
• On Losing Loved Ones:
  • "You can know that they are more alive now than they were then... They're fully alive and they're fully in the presence of God." (John David Walt, 15:50)
  • "They're closer now than you think… No, we're surrounded by a cloud of witnesses." (John David Walt, 16:20)

4. Important Timestamps & Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Welcoming listeners, opening prayer and scripture focus| | 02:00 | Reading Proverbs 10:11–21 | | 04:20 | Reflection: power of the tongue and creating/destroying| | 05:30 | Ephesians and James on the speech | | 07:15 | Discussion of "No problem" vs. "My pleasure" | | 08:30 | Extrapolating intentional, life-giving language | | 11:36 | Story behind “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” hymn | | 13:45 | Reflection on living with hope and heaven’s nearness | | 16:20 | On losing loved ones and the cloud of witnesses |

5. Hymn and Closing Reflections

"O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"

[10:04–13:45]

• John and David Walt introduce and sing Charles Wesley’s hymn as a response and application to the earlier discussion—using “a thousand tongues” to praise God, echoing the idea that every word matters.
• The hymn’s background: Written by Charles Wesley to celebrate his awakening as a Christian, originally penned with 18 verses.

Reflections on Death, Grief, and Christian Hope

[14:00–17:09]

• Quoting John Wesley’s dying words, "The best is yet to come," to encourage hope.
• Personal anecdotes about losing loved ones—affirming that they are “more alive now” and “closer than you think.”
• Encouragement to live with anticipation of heaven and awareness of the ongoing connection with the “cloud of witnesses.”

6. Journal Prompts & Application

[09:40]

• Introspective coaching:
  • "What is your level of awareness of the power of your words?"
  • "Are you care-filled when it comes to your words or do you tend to be careless?"
  • Prompt to journal and seriously consider the impact of “idle speech.”

Summary Table

| Topic | Key Insight | Notable Quote | |-----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | Power of Words | Words can create or destroy; they're a "fountain of life" | “Our words may be the greatest power we possess.” (05:10) | | Biblical Foundation | Proverbs, Ephesians, and James all speak to weight of speech | “If you… do not keep a tight rein on their tongues, [you] deceive themselves and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26, 06:35) | | Chick-fil-A Example | The phrase "my pleasure" models positive, intentional language | “Words create worlds.” (08:30) | | Christian Hope in Grief | Heaven as a present reality; loved ones are closer than we think | “They're fully alive and they're fully in the presence of God.” (15:50) |

Engaging Takeaway

This episode challenges listeners to embrace the sacred power of language, echoing the love and wisdom of Jesus in every interaction. Through practical examples, scriptural instruction, and the hopeful legacy of Christian hymnody, John David Walt and guests call for intentional, grace-filled speech that sows life—reminding us that "words create worlds," and the best is truly yet to come.