Loaded Words

Growing up you heard the little rhyme: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”. You may also remember how nice kids can be to each other. Well, now that you have a few years under your belt, which heals faster—a broken arm or a pointed barb shot willy-nilly from an underdeveloped imbecilic juvenile mind? Broken bones heal, but a few misplaced idiotic words can leave an open sore for years. Maybe the wound never heals.

You’re stupid, you’re ugly, you’re dumb, you’re a fatty, you’re a loser, and you’re a cry-baby. Sticks and stones can indeed break bones, but words can scar, cripple and wound for a lifetime. Some very successful people have clawed their way to the top just to prove something personal. Harmful words are an adult version of bullying. Lawyers file lawsuits for slander and libel all the time. Grade school may be decades past, but who still remembers that cruel remark made by someone slinging and idiotic insult? You’ve got cooties. You’ve got four eyes. You’re clothes look terrible. There are therapists who work tirelessly to restore self-esteem and self-worth to counter verbal abuse. Those old wounds open easily. Overcoming those barriers with dogged persistence and determination is the stuff life is made of.

The Bible mentions several individuals who spoke in haste with regrettable consequences. We read of their lives and say, “I’d never be that proud”. Maybe not, but maybe you’ve taken matters into your own hands and ignored the urging of God and His Spirit? Harsh words stir up anger (Proverbs 15), but love is patient, love is kind (1 Corinthians 13).

Any fool can spew out hurtful words like bullets, but it takes a wise person to offer kindly words like a bouquet of flowers. Perhaps, we should listen to what language God is speaking to us instead of listening to what others spew out. God speaks all languages—including yours, ours, theirs and any others. What language does God speak to you?

Bottom Line:

Our words come from our mouths not somewhere outside as if we were using a ventriloquist’s voice or a dummy. The Scriptures tell us to treat our words carefully: “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19). The Bible also tells us in Matthew 12 that every man will have to give account on the judgment day for every careless word they have spoken.