"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
WRONG! "Words are weapons, sharper than knives..." They can cut to the heart, leaving gaping wounds.
Are words more powerful when they build up or when they destroy? This is a question in my Sunday School quarterly this week. We're studying the book of James (Chapter 3)...Taming the Tongue.
The Awesome Power of Words
What we say and don't say are both important. Saying the right words at the right time is good, but controlling our desire to say what we shouldn't is important too. An uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Once our words are out there, we can't take them back. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build.
Dual Nature of Words
Our contradictory speech often puzzles us. At times our words are right and pleasing to God, but at other times they are violent and destructive.
The Wise Use of Words
When our speech is motivated by God and His wisdom it is full of mercy, love for others, peace, sincerity and impartiality.
When our speech is motivated by Satan it is full of bittter envy, selfish ambition, disorder, evil.
The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human nature...our true identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment