Sticks and Stones

Trust your words ...

Three syllables, yet life-changing.

I was navigating a time of deep sorrow, while simultaneously compelled to pursue goals, passions, and dreams close to my heart. Time was of the essence. One such dream, since childhood, was to author books--best-selling novels to be exact--but had nothing in my portfolio.

One day, I found a site where I could write for a challenge to a given topic each week. Of the requirements, one of them was 100 - 750 words.

I joined the challenge. Over time, I noticed the growth in confidence and friendships. As we entered our weekly stories/devotionals, we would go through the entries and read, comment, encourage, and try to guess who wrote each one.

One day, someone whose writing I respected and admired, commented on my story, encouraging me to "trust your words." She reminded me of how powerful words can be, especially when used as tools rather than fillers on a page.

The results of learning to trust weren't immediate, nor did I fully understand the implications; but eventually, I exercised prose every day. Learning. Growing. And I was reminded of Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

This is not only for preparing a document, writing a story, or giving a speech of any kind, but also for every thought that spills across our lips and floats over the airwaves. When we speak, we effectively prophesy--for better or worse.

Remember the chant: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?

It's a lie.

Long ago, I'd determined to never speak negatively over my children. I believed we, as parents, have influence that reaches into eternity over whether our children succeed or fail, thrive or give up.

Similarly, speaking harsh words to others can--and often does--cause injury. We can't always see the wound, sometimes the effects of these invisible wounds don't present themselves until later, when we're no longer present to witness the bleeding. But this doesn't mean that the wound didn't exist, or that we didn't inflict said wound.

Sadly, many of us will refuse to speak negative words, because we understand the concept. But we will say things--even in jest--about ourselves. Self-deprecating words like, "How dumb," "What a goof," "That was idiotic ..." or we may say things about our situation, "I'm falling apart," "There's no way things will change ..."

Believe me, I've said them. Lately, I'll say them then think, oh, maybe I shouldn't have said that ...

I am learning that it's vital we mind the words we speak over ourselves. By doing so, we steward the life given to us by God. We are the disciples Jesus addressed when He said, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man" (Matthew 15:18). From Proverbs, we read, "As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man" (Proverbs 23:7). 

Scripture is abundant in its direction to watch the way we speak:

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

Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so. 

Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.

Proverbs 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ...

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace ...

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath ... 

As we can see this brief sampling of Scripture, how we speak is of vital importance. We can utter words of life or death. Hope or defeat. We choose. 

I choose LIFE. How about you?