“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I remember mockingly singing that song when I was young and trying with all my might to believe it. But as we well know words can be VERY HURTFUL. They can tear us down until we feel like there’s nothing left. But they can also make you us comforted, lifted, enlightened, and loved. Words have power; they can HELP OR HARM. And, the enemy will use them against us. Word curses are real. Time is short, and we must guard our hearts, minds, and even our mouths, in these last days. “Gentle words cause LIFE and HEALTH…” (Proverbs 15:4)
Violent and mean words may make you feel bad. WORDS CAN HURT. Saying hurtful things is a way of bullying, scaring, or putting someone down. So is yelling, screaming, or threatening to hurt someone or do something mean to someone. These are ways that a person can ABUSE someone else – it’s called “emotional abuse”. In their book, “Words Can Change Your Brain”, neuroscientists Newberg and Waldman state “a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.” In a neuroscience experiment conducted by Maria Richter and colleagues, it was shown that negative words release STRESS AND ANXIETY–INDUCING HORMONES in subjects. So, indeed Words Do Hurt. “DEATH and LIFE are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21) “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and HEALTHY FOR THE BODY.” (Proverbs 16:24)
So, before you speak remember this, “Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Season them with salt…” (Colossians 4:6)
This would be a great prayer for us to pray before we speak, “LORD, may the WORDS of my mouth and the THOUGHTS of my heart be pleasing in your eyes. You are my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14) Consider what Jesus says, “…here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to ACCOUNT for every careless word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham