"Sticks and Stones"

  We have heard the old saying, "Sticks and stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me!" How would you feel if you found out that really wasn't true? They were three friends of Job who tried to comfort him while he dealt with the pain of boils and the broken heart of losing his children. Here is what he said in response: "How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?" (Job 19:2)

  There is nothing more hurtful than deep, barbed verbal thrusts! Words can scald and burn. Words can bury someone. Words that are used in this manner come from callous people. The Scriptures teach: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Eph. 4:29) Unwholesome, rotten words never help a situation. Our tongues should be given under the power of the Lord so we can control what is said. In the heat of the moment, in a time of need, words need to be spoken that edify, build up the one with whom you are dealing with. Situations deteriorate into arguments because unwholesome words are spoken. The result? No grace to help in time of need to defuse the moment and the situation goes toward evil and the power of the devil.

  In the book of Revelation, the Dragon, who is called the devil and Satan (Rev. 12:9), used ceaseless words to accuse the followers of the Lamb. The Scriptures teach he accused them day and night (Rev. 12:10). When people use their tongues to accuse another, especially if they don't know the whole situation, who are they acting like? Where has their tongue been given its power? "And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity;...and is set on fire by hell." (James 3:6)

  Vicious words can fall from the lips of those who claim righteousness! Armed with rightness for our cause, we use words to embarrass, words that exacerbate guilt, words that humiliate, words that maim and isolate! And it is done many times under the name of the Lord! Words thrust to put someone in their place to allow their maximum affect! Words to shame and bring guilt. "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can forever hurt me!" God, forgive us and our tongues and use us to your glory!