Just Words?

We all have heard the rhyme, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me." But is the saying really true? When someone gives us an encouraging word, we feel our spirits rise, but when someone says something that is hurtful, we often find that the negative words seem to stay with us. The negative words spin round and round in our minds, often blinding us to the life that is going on right in front of us.

We all have to be on guard when it comes to words. Words have the power to destroy or to build up. It is quite astounding that such a small member of our bodies (the tongue that produces words) can be on the one hand so destructive and on the other hand so positive, encouraging and productive. Read what James has to say about the tongue in James 3: 4-5 ESV "Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!"

All of us are affected by the power of words, either words that others say to us or words that we say to ourselves. We all can fall into the trap of holding onto toxic words that we have heard others say about us, or lies that we believe about ourselves. Parents whose kids have left the faith can easily succumb to the deadly words, hearing over and over again how they did not do enough. The destruction that these ruinous words can cause is devastating. We often find that our spirit sinks and our head hangs low, the very words causing a sort of death within us.

Now take a look at some good words, really good words that speak truth and life to us. Romans 5.6-10: "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

In Deuteronomy 11: 18 Moses directs us to words that we really can take to heart "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." The words that he is referring to are the 10 commandments, words that describe the shape of divine life for us, words of wisdom and guidance for our daily living.

And you know what else? The Lord listens to our words and hears our cry for help. When the words that we are holding onto (as the shape of life) are too much for us to bear, the Holy Spirit is there, ready to bring us comfort and strength through the words of the Bible. As we read the good news, he lifts up our spirits by showing us the truth that Jesus Christ died for our failures and rose again for our forgiveness and the hope of eternal life.

The LORD has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is our comforter who reminds us "whose we are."  We are children of the Triune God. The Holy Spirit communicates to us through the Bible offering us encouragement as we read examples of how the LORD loves us. Our friends may also help by offering encouraging words to the situation and giving wisdom on how to respond to the negative words. Psalm 119 verses 111-112 really sum it all up beautifully "Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end."

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit who communicates to us through the Holy Bible the words of truth. Thank you for reminding us of your forgiveness, when all we can think of is our failures in life or the times when we fell short. Your Word continually reminds us of the gift of redemption that we have received through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for your Word and the hope and reassurance we receive through it. Amen

Bible Verses ESV

Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Proverbs 12:18
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:4
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Acts 2:26
Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.

Job 4:4
Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees.

Psalm 12:6
The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Psalm 17:6
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Devotion by Paula Isakson - Edited by Dr. Jakob K. Heckert