Words are Forever

Do you remember this nursery rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” Have you ever personally used it? I bet you have. Words hurt. In fact, children even know that words hurt. Often we realize the importance of words when we are the victim of a hurtful comment, even as an adult. Seldom do we realize how hurtful words are when we are the ones speaking them.
We must realize that our words are powerful and carry great influence. Words can give life or kill it. Therefore, we have a choice. With our words, we can stifle effectiveness within our workplace. Or we can inspire momentum, impart courage, and instill hope. Words have consequences, and we must accept those consequences. As difficult as it sounds, we must begin every conversation with the end result in mind. We must choose what things we want cultivated in our relationships. Remembering we reap what we sow, especially with words. So, speak good things and reap good things in return. Give encouragement; receive encouragement. Be a friend and then you will find a friend. If we choose our responses, then we can control our consequences. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose” (MSG).
For some of us thinking before we speak is a tall request. The tongue is powerful. The tongue has the power to start and end wars. It has the power to start and end relationships. It has the power to request eternal life, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Romans 10:10. So how do we control our tongue? Simple, control your heart. Your tongue is a direct reflection of you heart. Your tongue speaks what the heart believes. Thus, it is a matter of the heart. If our hearts are filled with compassion, our speech will reflect it. If our hearts are filled with anger, then our speech will be angry. So how do we say good things? We engulf ourselves with God and everything Godly. In addition, we surround ourselves with God’s people and read God’s word. Therefore, if we import Godly things, we will export Godly things.

Challenge:
Examine your life. Are you surrounded by God’s people? Are you doing Godly things? When you watch a movie is it Godly? When you talk or text friends is it Godly conversation? Do you read God’s word daily? Do you attend church with God’s people? Is your conversation about others good for the most part or bad?
Today, tomorrow, the next day, the next day, etc. let's try and fuel our bodies with Godly things and see if in return good things come out.