Proverbs 18:21 - Sticks and Stones
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. " (Proverbs 18:21 KJV)
by Chris
We couldn't have gotten it more wrong as children. Parents as well.
I remember growing up being told not to cry when someone hailed verbal assaults my way. People would tell me "they're just words".
In elementary school my peers would chant "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me".
What a lie!
As the scripture points out, words are the most lethal weapons we have at our disposal. They can be used to build up or tear down one another.
When Is the last time you reflected back on hurtful words spoken to you and it still bothered you? The pain words inflict are never visible on the outside although the pain and damage stay present on the inside.
Contrastly, a good Word can push you to achieve greatness. It can lift you at your lowest times, and rejuvenate a tired spirit.
Just look at the impacts hearing the Word of God being preached has in our daily lives.
Brothers, from childhood the devil has been trying to deceive our perception of the true power of words. He wants is to focus on actions (outside) instead of working on our hearts (inside).
Remember, the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart. So lets be sure that our hearts are prepared and conditioned to speak life.
Let's pray
"Father thank you for the power of your Word and our words. Let us never forget just how powerful they are. Help is to use our tongues to uplift, encourage, and build each other up daily. Show us how to heal the wounds from our past that words spoken have inflicted. Condition out hearts with the love and joy of Christ. In Jesus name we pray...
Amen"
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