Sticks and Stones

I have a goal to get back into writing, whether on this blog or for publication or just to keep track of things happening.  Writing is therapeutic in many ways.  I do not claim that anything I write is profound or earth-shattering, but I hope maybe it can bring someone hope, peace, or encouragement.   
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Col 4:6

"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!" James 3:5

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can damage a spirit."

In my study today, there was a focus on words and speech. We live in a world where everything seems transient - here today, gone tomorrow. Snapchat photos appear for a moment and then seemingly disappear. FB stories last 24 hours, and then they, too, seem to vanish. While those things do not ACTUALLY disappear, they are gone from our memory and sight quickly. Unless, of course, someone takes a screenshot or copies and pastes it or shares it or saves it. It is still stored somewhere in the cloud and can be retrieved at any moment if you just know how.

Words are similar. They pop out of someone's mouth, and then the sound of them seemingly disappears into thin air. The speaker may even forget that they were said. And yet, they often linger and their influence continues (good or bad) long after the last audible sound has dissipated. This is even more true if the "love language" of the person hearing them is words of affirmation. For these people (I am one!), authentically positive words can motivate them and push them to greater heights, kindling a fire of confidence and boldness as they go about living their lives for Christ. Likewise, negative, hateful, or accusatory words (ESPECIALLY when they are untrue or spiteful), can kindle a fire of anxiety, stress, doubt, and fear much like a single spark of flame can result in the devastation of an entire forest. Unfortunately, these destructive words often linger longer and consume anything positive that was said so that the person feels depleted, "scorched," laid bare, and desolate. Much like the screenshot from a FB post or Snapchat photo, those words are burned on their memory and get replayed over and over in their minds, poisoning their confidence and hindering their service in His kingdom.

Scripture warns against idle words in Matthew 12:36, and in today's world of "speaking your truth" and "making your voice known," I fear that we all (myself included) need to heed the advice of the kids' song: "O be careful little mouth what you say." We absolutely should be sharing truth in love, but before we speak something, we must consider whether it is, indeed, true, kind, or helpful. While how someone reacts to our words is not always our responsibility, may we never be the reason someone doubts their worth or value to the kingdom. May we all echo the psalmist in our desire to "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight."

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2Ronda Jo and 1 other