"A Tongue has no bones but it is strong enough to break a heart. Be careful with your words!" -Unknown
Have you heard that old saying,
"Sticks and stones may break my bones but works may never heart me."?
Well, the idea is that words shouldn't hear you but you and I know they do and
they are harder to set right and takes longer to heal from than a broken bone!
Here's What James has to say about our tongue/how strong our words really are:
"If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 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! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." -James 3:3-10 (ESV)
Our words and actions are powerful and our words have the ability to breathe life or breathe death, they have the power to be a blessing or a curse.
As people who follow the Lord and are called according to His purpose - we ought to breathe life especially in this often discouraging and dark world. We need to be a light and encouragement to others. Furthermore, we should receive encouragement and not rush past a moment because our schedules stress us out or we perceive it's not of value...
Whatever the case may be, may we seek to share life giving words and not tear ourselves or others down anymore. Amen?!
In Christ,
rlk