"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me." Really? No, not really! Truth be told, the damage done by stick and stones usually heals pretty quickly while the damage done by words often has a life-long impact and possibly an eternal one. Telling a child he is stupid or bad can set the tone for his life now and perhaps forever.
And the damage done by words doesn't necessarily impact the object of those words alone. Words an cause collateral damage as the wounded recipient may lash out at others and others hearing those words can be greatly impacted. Imagine the wounds to a small girl as her daddy verbally demeans her mommy.
Words may create doubt that can sink an otherwise sound venture. As an old Navy cliché warns: "Loose lips sink ships." Words have started deadly fights and even deadlier wars. Words have sent people to prison and sent others to their graves. Words can be very dangerous and pose a very real threat to their object.
Words also pose a very real threat to the one speaking them as retribution may come as a result of careless or carefully directed hurtful words. Words can implicate you or even demean you in the eyes of others. Most importantly, words can determine your eternal destiny as "the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them" (Matt 15:18).
Words can be very dangerous indeed. But they can be equally beneficial - the choice is yours. Don't make excuses for your words, choose them wisely: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (Eph 4:29). Don't let your words defile you, instead let them define you as a disciple is Christ. Jus' Sayn.
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