We’ve
probably have all heard the little tune “Sticks
and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” I learned this
as a child, but as I grew older over the years, it became more and more
apparent that this small jingle is far from the truth.
Words
can hurt me. Words can be deadly and even life-threatening. I have concluded
that the only form of homicide that goes unpunished in the world today is
“verbal homicide.” We can use words to “kill” the self-esteem of another
person. We can “kill” their potential or "kill" their momentum and ability to grow and learn. All by the
words we use.
Proverbs
18:20 (NLT)
tells us, “Wise words satisfy like a good
meal; the right words bring satisfaction.” Proverbs 11:9 (NLT) also says “With
their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the
righteous.”
We
need to seriously consider the choice of words we use when speaking to others.
We must formulate in our minds, before speaking, words that will speak life to
someone….not death.
We
use words that will be gracious when wronged and merciful when offended. We use
words that are uplifting and encouraging when earned and words that are
empowering when things don’t go according to plan. We use words of forgiveness
and restoration when mistakes are made and we are less than perfect.
As
I have been taught: We are given two ears. Each ear was created “open” and
never able to be closed. We have one mouth. The mouth is hinged and given the
ability to be opened and closed. That means we need to do a lot more listening
and a lot less talking. How much more beneficial it is to fully listen in order
to understand someone instead of “half-listening” because we are formulating
our response in our head?
Work
on your words! Perhaps study through the Dictionary or a Thesaurus for new and
inviting ways to speak life-giving words to someone. When you catch yourself
being negative, condescending and critical, go and find the opposite of those words (that are
positive) and learn their meaning.
That
may sound funny, but you would be surprised at how many positive and
encouraging words there are to use! You would be surprised how your disposition
will change once you see how powerful positive and encouraging words can
be….not only to you, but to your neighbor. Ephesians
4:29 (NLT), “Don’t use foul or
abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those
who hear them.”