Sticks, Stones and Broken Bones

There’s an old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”  All of us, from time to time, have thought or said something similar.  But you know, I just don’t believe this old saying is true!  I believe words can be hurtful, in more ways than one.  For example, angry words not only hurt the one to whom they are directed, they also injure the one who speaks them.  Our Lord said, “…every idle word that men shall speak, they shall account for in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)  We are accountable for the words we speak.  Jesus goes on to say, “For by your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37)

Our words communicate more than the simple message we wish to impart. Our words tell a discerning listener many things. Words spring from the heart, revealing the heart.  “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:35)  We all need to give close attention to our words.  No wonder James said, “…be swift to hear and slow to speak” (James 1:19)

I believe the depth of our faith is demonstrated through our words, unfortunately we may also reveal our lack of faith by those words.  When we speak, we show others our love, our compassion, our concern for them, or our lack of love, compassion and concern. We may be called upon to speak truths hard to be heard, but we must always be thoughtful and loving enough to considerately frame our words, “speaking the truth in love”.

Words are powerful. God used them to create the world. Our Lord used them to preach salvation.  Words may not break bones but they will break hearts and wound souls. From a heart filled with good treasure seek always to speak good words.