WORDS THAT HEAL – WORDS THAT HURT

I have shared with you before that I am writing a book – “I Thought I Heard It All … Until.”

The problem with this book is that the things I would share would not be pretty. They would not be even nice. They would be downright nasty.

We live in a world where we feel entitled to say what we want, how we want, when we want, to whomever we want whether it is hurtful, spiteful, or plain down right rude.

Obviously as Solomon wrote, there is nothing new under the sun. When he penned the book of Proverb he had to be experiencing the same frustrations:

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spout folly. Proverbs 15:2

A man who has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word. Proverbs 15:23

Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure. Proverbs 15:26

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Proverbs 15:28

The kicker verse for me was Proverbs 16:23 – The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Ouch! If I am pursuing God’s wisdom and want to be wise – then I need to allow Him to teach my lips say the RIGHT things. No where in Scripture do I find justification for using my mouth as a weapon of mass destruction.

Am I entitled to my opinion? Yes. Am I free to express my opinion in an un-Christ-like way? Absolutely not!

Maybe our grandparents really had it right – Think before you speak! If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

How are you using your words? To build up or tear down? To encourage or discourage?
Think about it.

Running the race with joy,

Bill Welte
President/CEO of America’s Keswick

Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 50; Philippians 2

Quote of the day: Do you want to live a supernatural life of victory? The VICTORY EXPRESS runs on two tracks – TRUTH & OBEY! – Dr. Adrian Rogers

Verse to Memorize: Therefore I love you commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. Psalm 119:127-128 ESV