"The Words We Speak"

June 05, 2023 | By Chuck

   The words we speak matter, they really do. Our words matter because they have an incredible power to influence those who hear them. With the words you speak, you can make someone smile, be happy, and even laugh because of the nature of your spoken message. You can also hurt someone deeply by speaking unkind words to them. I’ll be honest, I’ve never understood why some people feel the need or that it’s okay to speak unkind words to others. Most of the time we have no idea what is going on behind closed doors in someone’s personal world, so we should be cautious about the words we speak. Your positive and encouraging words may be exactly what that person needed to sustain them through another day or night. Unkind and negative words to a hurting person could lead to a disastrous situation.

            Paul encouraged Christians to be kind to one another. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) Kindness affects our actions and the words we speak. A Christian's words should reflect his kindness. The temptation may be to lash out, raise your voice, or speak unkind words to someone, but always consider the other person's feelings before you speak. At times this may not be easy, but it’s always a necessary practice for the Christian. The words we speak can do much good or much harm, so always think before you speak.

            “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24)