Are Our Words Important? By Lane Jordan Burday

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

I am sure you could reflect over your life and remember times when words were thrown at you that hurt, as if a sword had cut into your heart.

We can remember these times because they really do hurt. We’ve all heard the expression, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This traditional children’s rhyme was used as a defense when others were mean. But words can cause real damage. Cruel words can leave deep emotional scars.

But God can heal hearts and memories!

Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Isaiah 65:17 also speaks of past pains fading from our minds: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”

All this to say, we must watch our words so carefully. Words have such power to bless or to wound. And when we speak carelessly or negatively, it can damage ourselves as well as others.

That’s why I love this verse from James 1:19: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

I personally repeat this verse often. I am an extrovert, and I can easily jump into a group or a conversation, and before I’m aware of it, I have taken it over! I try so hard, then, to be quick to listen, very slow to offer my opinion (because most people don’t want to hear anyone’s opinion), and if I become angry, I try to distance myself until the time is right.

In fact, I also try to call out to the Lord when a disturbing phone call is coming up on my phone, or I see someone I’m trying to avoid. I pray, “Help me, Holy Spirit” before I answer the phone or meet that person. These are quick prayers, but they really help me because I’m including God in all I do or say. Hopefully, my answer will be positive and will replace any negative thoughts I may have had.

You may also have noticed how awful curse words have been appearing in all forms of life, from hearing teens talk, to movies, even to TikTok videos. My husband and I are in disbelief that this type of talk has become mainstream. What has happened to our culture? Why are so many people tolerating this type of talk?

I believe it is another way that the evil one is trying to infiltrate God’s creation, causing it to fall from His will and follow the ways of the world.

So one verse that I use in my own life helps me to avoid any bad talk as well as to keep my words right and good:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

Wow! Just think of all the bad and hurtful words that would stop and could be replaced by words that build up if more people followed what this verse says.

My prayer is that we work on the words we say and use every day. That we seek to help, encourage, and heal others with the words we use. I know in my own life that when I talk to my husband with respect and kindness, or to my children with a tone of love and acceptance, our family works well.

I leave you with this precious verse from Jesus:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Jesus will take away the hurts that others may try to inflict on you. He can heal you and turn your life into one of joy!

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