By Lisa Wilmore
My Friends,
The familiar rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words do not hurt me”, has been stated in years of old and perhaps in our modern times as well. “Words would never hurt me” is not always true. Words do hurt, when spoken in a manner that cause individuals to cry or even withdraw from the local body of Christ. In many cases, when church or family hurt occurs, there are those persons who may accredit their actions to a lack of maturity as a believer, or they are still a babe in Christ-drinking “milk”.
Have you witnessed the strong minded say whatever comes out of their mouth to others with no resentment or remorse? As a result, the individual (s) feelings were hurt, and they chose not to engage in family events or church activities. In reality, sticks and stones may break bones and words do hurt.”
Particularly, we must never be casual about saying things that cause others to hurt or feel less about themselves. The Bible, God’s Holy Word, specifically conveys to us how to handle our words and speech. As Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus encouraging them in their Christian faith, he penned, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29). Paul encourages us, believers in Jesus, to be careful of the words that come out of our mouths. One scholar said, “Not only obscene vulgarity but slanderous and contemptuous talk”, also.
Dear hearts, we must not take people for granted and say things that will hurt them. Think about it. We must use what some may call the “golden rule” when applying words to other. That is “Do unto others as you will have them do unto you.” Matthew recorded Jesus’ command, “So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you” (vs.12 NIV). Therefore, if we treat people with words the way we would like to be treated, then we would use language that would build up and not tear down. Even though correction is sometimes necessary, we must be cautious in the words we use.
Have you done to others what you would not like done to you? Have you spoken unkind and slanderous words about others that defamed their name? Remember, “Sticks and stones may break bones, and words do hurt.”
So, we must be conscious and careful of sending negative words from the thoughts of our minds, to sending blessings to the individual (s). Isn’t that what we want in return? “Sticks and stones may break bones, and words do hurt.”
Jesus Saves!
