Remember the saying"sticks and stones may break my bones,but words will never hurt me",well that is just simply untrue.Words cut deep down into our soul.A bruise quickly heals over time,but words cut way too deep and are not forgotten so easily.In scripture it tells of fools speaking without thought.It tells of people who are quick tempered,and it tells of how we should speak only things that bring praise and honor to God.In Proverbs 15:1 it says,"A soft answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger."If we go on down and read verse 2 it says,"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." We should think before we speak.If we simply do not have something nice to say to someone,or words to lift them up,we should just completly close our mouths. Words are a gift from the Lord.With our words we can share the gospel,we can lift a spirit,we can calm a hurting person,we can use our words wisely.If we do not choose our speech,and think upon what we say,we can hurt many loved ones,even strangers. Our words should be an example,showing Godly character. When we choose to cut another one down,we quickly kill their spirit. Although we forgive,words are not easily forgotten.It is words that we often remember about a person. It is the words that we use that often give a glimpse into our relationship with the Lord.We need to care about those we are speaking to.Love does not from hateful words,it is a seed of satan to destroy anothers.Love is sharing beautiful words with others,and talking with patience,and kindness. My mother always said she would rather someone just spit on her,or hit her,instead of saying unkind words. She would say the bruise would heal,but words can cause your heart to hurt forever.I agree with my mom. In this she was very wise,knowing from experience just what words can do to our soul. We cannot change others,or the way they choose to live or speak,but we can change how we speak and react to those who are hurting us with words. We can still show them Jesus,by having a soft answer,or just no answer at all.Fools tend to speak without thinking,and continue to talk without even caring what their words are really saying.I think even Thumper said it best,"If you cant say something nice,dont say nothing at all."
