Daily devotion – Tuesday 31st August 2021
Pro 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
The children’s nursery rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones, But words shall never hurt me,” was first spoken in in the 1830’s.
But how wrong is that concept? We have all been hurt by the words of others! Often – perhaps more often than we realize – what was said was simply spoken thoughtlessly or carelessly.
But sometimes it wasn’t; those cruel cutting words were meant to sting – and they did.
Either way, when others criticize us or say something hurtful or insensitive, our first reaction should be to ask ourselves if there is any truth in what they say. If so, we need to be honest with ourselves, and ask God to help us correct it.
But even if those words were spoken maliciously, we need to turn our hurts over to our Lord and ask Him to help us respond with forgiveness and grace.
We have two ears and one mouth so we need to listen twice as much as we speak!
Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
At times when the barbs have come I have actually said to the person speaking or writing such cutting things, “Those words are not like you. You are not the person such words come from. They do not represent you.” I have then asked what has happened to them to make them so upset to say or write such things.
Words are powerful and we should be careful in what we say. Ask our ourselves before they roll off our lips, “Will these words benefit the listener? Would Jesus say such things? If not, then why say them at all?”
Pro 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
This week, say less, listen more and when you speak let your words be one’s that God would be pleased with us sharing with one for whom He suffered and died for!