Whoever wrote ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’ was an idiot. Words can hurt. Words can cause heart ache.
Words can bring a man to the point of suicide. Words can cause a life time of misery. More damage has been done through the misuse of words than by any bomb or weapon fashioned by mankind.
But words can also bring healing. Words can bring hope and meaning and life. Words can restore a broken relationship and mend a broken heart. Words can build up and edify and cheer a fallen heart. Words are powerful, whether powerfully good or powerfully evil.
The writer of the Proverbs has much to say about the way we use our words. They can turn away wrath or stir up anger. Our tongue can command knowledge or it can gush forth folly. It can be a tree of life or it can crush the Spirit.
As we think about the warning of Jesus in Matthew 12:36-37 let us be careful to use our words wisely, to speak for the edification of others, to bring healing and life. Let us make sure that no unwholesome talk (Ephesians 4:29) comes out of our mouths but only that which edifies others and benefits those who listen. Let us learn to think before we open our mouths. Let us weigh up the consequences of our words so that every word is beneficial and helpful.
Prayer:-
- Pray for the work of Shiloh Church Ministries in India as they seek to comfort, restore hope and bring healing to those displaced by the violence and anti-Christian sentiment in Orissa State, India. Pray that God would use these believers to rebuild lives, to restore hope and to bring salvation to many. Pray for the much needed funds.
- Pray for our brothers training in Myanmar to preach the gospel. These students need wisdom, financial support and the skills to go out into the world as fearless preachers. Pray that God would provide. Pray that these men (and their families) would not hesitate to bring the Word of Life to the villages they are assigned or sent to.
Do It Today
Prayerfully consider who you might encourage today with your words. Pray about it and do it.
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