Tongue
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Probably all of us have heard the saying: “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” That’s nothing but a lie. Words hurt and can do just as much damage as any stick or stone. Words are the clearest expression of oneself. Words are the way you communicate who you are to other people. Your words reveal you—who you are and what’s in your heart.
Unfortunately, our words can do serious damage. Oh how I know this firsthand. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve had to ask my friends and family for forgiveness because of my hurtful words toward them.
We love to tear others down in order to build ourselves up. Words are great for tearing people down but God wants us to use our words to build others up. We use our tongues to lie, spread rumors, curse, gossip, slander—to just flat out be mean and hateful. Worse yet, we routinely do this to the ones that we love the most.
Hurtful words are not easily forgotten. We all need help with our words—we need someone to forgive us for all the ways we have used our words to tear others down. We also need someone to help us learn to use our words to build others up. The Lord knows this and He has given us just the right person for the task. His name is “the Word.”
In John 1 we read: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus is “the Word”. He is the living Word of God—full of grace and truth. His grace covers all our sins, even our hurtful words. His truth equips us to use our words to bless other people and build others up.
Do you speak loving words? Do you speak kind words? Do you need to ask for forgiveness for your hurtful words?
Prayer: Help me speak, and when I do, help those words be kind and loving. Father you are kind and loving. Let me speak so that others may know You.