Here, the author speaks of the power of the tongue. Most of us were raised on the phrase, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” We know that is not true. Words have great potential for harm. A careless word – not just spoken, but also written or posted online – can land at a person’s most sensitive spot. An intentional barb can cause lasting damage far beyond what was intended. Words also have great potential for building relationship and for building confidence. A thoughtful word might make a positive difference in surprising ways.
How intentional are you about the words you choose to speak or write? When have you said something that caused unintentional harm? Can you think of a time when you could see that your words had been a blessing? What practices might help you to be more thoughtful about what you say, write, or post?
In prayer, commit yourself to paying more attention to the words you choose to use.
