Although many of us have much in common, one thing is for sure; we all have been hurt deeply or will be hurt deeply at some time in our life. Many times the ones who can hurt us the most are the ones we are the closest to. We can be hurt either emotionally, spiritually, physically or mentally. How we respond to the hurt will determine the outcome of our life and will affect those whom we influence. There have been many people who were successful in life until they got hurt. Some men were successful at being a husband until their wife hurt them. Some women were successful at being wife until their husband hurt them. Pastors have hurts they have to overcome by church members; and sometimes, church members have to deal with hurts caused by their pastor. Friends hurt their friends, parents hurt their children, and children hurt their parents. The list can go on and on. How we respond to these hurts will determine how long the healing process will take. When you have a cut, it may bleed, but it will not always hurt; consequently, you may see the scar for the rest of your life. Likewise, when we are hurt in life the wound may heal, but we may bear the scar on our heart indefinitely.
The tongue can be used to either hurt people or the tongue can be a great way that people can hurt us. You have heard the statement, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Whoever made that statement did not know what they were talking about. Words do hurt, and they will cut straight to the heart! The tongue does not have bones to break, but it is strong enough to break a heart. We need to choose our words carefully. We need to think before we begin to tear into someone with our words. Proverbs 25:11 says,
“A word fitlyspoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”
Again, we need to think very carefully before we speak and realize the power of our words. When someone does tear into you with their words here are a few things to remember:
1. Everyone has a bad day from time to time.
2. Do not take it personal.
3. We do not know what they may be going through in their life.
We can neither see what people are thinking nor do we know what may have happened to them in the last twenty-four hours. We must protect ourselves from the hurt that can fester in our hearts. Our hurt can become like an infection that can ruin other important relationships in our life. Here are a few more verses about the tongue and its power to hurt or to heal- Proverbs 12:18, Proverbs 15:2, and James 1:26. James 3:5 says,
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.”
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! I could mention many more verses about the tongue, but I would recommend you doing your own search on the tongue. You may be surprised at how easy it is to hurt people with our words. Let us learn how to weigh the power that our words have on people.
Dan Carr
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