'Sticks and Stones' by Michael Belgard

April 10, 2018 - There is a saying that goes like this; " Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me."  I'm sure that you may have said this when you were a kid or maybe taught it to your kids when they were being called names. The truth be told, that sounds good in theory, but its not really true. The words we speak and the words others say to us have great power and can hurt in a way that leaves lasting scars.  That is why we need to be very careful what we say and how we say things.  In Proverbs 12:18 it says " There is one whose rash words are like sword thrust, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."  We have power in our words to tear down and hurt or to heal brokenness.
       
So why are words so powerful? We have to  realize that God spoke all things into existence and gave us His Word as a guide for us to live by. So God puts a lot of emphasis on the power of words. Jesus called Lazurus out of the grave. He battled the devil in the desert with the Word of God. I could site many other examples but you get the point. Words do matter and how we use them in relation to others can have a profound impact on their lives. Husbands and wives who constantly criticize and tear each other down with their words will eventually destroy the love relationship that made them so happy in the beginning. Fathers and mothers who beat their children down with harsh words can destroy the life of a child they say that they love.  I believe harsh words are like bullets fired from a gun. When you shoot them out of your mouth they are not going to stop until they hit something. When they do, they first leave an open wound that may heal up eventually,  but leave a really nasty scar. 
     
So how should we speak to one another so that instead of tearing down, we build others up? Paul speaks directly to that point in Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come from your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Let your words be words that are filled with kindness, gentleness, and self control. When we speak to each other with love and respect there is no limit on the effects those words have on improving the confidence, self esteem, and love that can grow from them. I have seen peoples lives changed by words of encouragement spoken to them. When we allow the Spirit of God to guide what we say, our words can be like a "healing salve" put on a wound that gives instant relief.
      
So as we go through our day let us imitate Christ . Let us treat everyone with love and respect. Speaking words of encouragement, peace, and love, extending the grace that God has so freely given us to all we meet. It will not only improve the lives of those you come in contact, but God will bless you with a life filled with love and happiness.

I'm Just Sayin,
Mike Belgard