THE POWER OF OUR WORDS

            Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.  

                    Proverbs 20:15

          Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

WHAT A LIE!!  

          Words cut much deeper and often leave permanent scars on our hearts. I have spoken to many adults who still remember harsh words said to them as a child.  So why is it that we aren’t more careful with our words and with the tone of voice in which they are said?   Could it be that we understand the power words can have?  Could it be that we intend to hurt another person so deeply?  Or are we just that careless with our words?  The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about that.  Proverbs 11:9 says, “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly.”  It is likely that we have all been witnesses of how evil words destroyed a friendship.  In fact, we may have been the recipients of such words, or we may have even been the one who has spoken them.  I would think that most of us would never pick up a stone and throw it at another person to cause them pain.  But we are often quick to hurl an angry or insensitive word at another person.  Often we do so without thinking.  But there are times when we do so with every intention of causing pain.  GOD, HELP US!  Help us to be as the second part of the verse and use wise discernment to rescue us from inflicting pain on another person.  

          Proverbs 11:17 says, “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.”  Speaking from personal experience, I know how kind words spoken are not only good for the other person, they good for me.  Encouraging or uplifting another person brings encouragement to me as well as to them.  On the flip-side, I know what it feels like when I have used my words to hurt another person and ended up feeling sick about it.  My words did as the psalmist said they would – they brought destruction.  I can never use my words to hurt another person and walk away feeling good about myself.  God won’t allow it!  The Holy Spirit will convict me of it, and He won’t allow me to rest until I have made amends.  He reminds me of the words of Proverbs 11:2  that says,  “It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent.”  I guess that is where we get the saying, “If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything at all.”  If only we would commit those words to memory and strive to live by them, there would be a lot less stone throwing.  

          You may be thinking, “But what about the times you are provoked and have to defend yourself?”  Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.”  When you and I are provoked, it would be good if we could just take a time out; if we could say to the other person, “I hear what you are saying, and I’m going to need a few minutes to process this before I respond to you.”  

          IF ONLY WE COULD!!! 

With God’s help it is possible.  We just need to memorize God’s word and meditate upon it so that the Holy Spirit can bring it to our remembrance when it is needed.  If we would do this (and, yes, I am speaking to myself as well), we could save a lot of heartache for others as well as for ourselves.  

          Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”  

          If harsh words are like stones thrown, then sweet words are like kisses blown.   I know that’s cheesy☺, but I know which ones I’d rather use.  I pray that God with help me to do just that.