| 'Oh, it was just a bunch of meaningless words. No big deal!' Wrong! Our words are a big deal and they do mean a lot! 'A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. '...For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks' (Luke 6:45 NKJV). Your words have either negative or positive impact. 1) Consider some negatives. They can wound people to the core. 'There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword...' (Proverbs12:18 NAS). They can break down a person's spirit, stripping them of the courage for living. '...Perverseness in it [the tongue] breaks the spirit...' (Proverbs 15:4 NKJV). Carelessly spoken words between people can destroy relationships. 'The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour...' (Proverbs 11:9 NKJV). Emotional, and possibly even physical death, can result from words. 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue...' (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV). 2) Consider some positives. Your words can spark life into a relationship. 'A soothing tongue is a tree of life...' (Proverbs 15:4 NAS). The right words can help heal wounded relationships. 'Pleasant words are...sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.' (Proverbs 16:24 NIV). Well-chosen words can help us to understand each other. '...Sweetness of the lips increases learning...' (Proverbs 16:21 NKJV). Words spoken at the right times can bring us closer together. 'The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl' (Proverbs 25:11 NCV). What you say matters, so mind your mouth! |
