Healing Words
Read Proverbs 12:18 and James 3:1–12.
This week we are focusing on reconnecting with friends and family. Relationships are vitally important because they are God’s workroom. He uses the people in our lives to challenge us, make us less focused on ourselves, and ultimately make us more like him.
One of the biggest obstacles in any relationship is how we speak to each other. Over the past few years, culture has tried to downplay the power of words. It has tried to convince us that if words are hurtful or offensive, there is something wrong with the offended and nothing wrong with us. They are just being sensitive. Having such a laissez-faire attitude to the power of words has resulted in broken family relationships, lost friendships, a divided society, and in some instances, even church splits!
Scripture reminds us over and over again of the power of words. James says that the tongue is a fire that sets the whole course of one’s life on fire. Like it or not, your words have the power to build or destroy. You have to take responsibility for that.
When you look at your broken relationships, how many of them have been impacted by words? Today let us be mindful of the things we are saying. Think before you speak, and decide only to say things that build others up and edify those who listen.
Prayer:
Father, words are an amazing gift that you have given. With them, we can build and destroy. Help us today to choose to build others up. Help us today to say things that point others to you so that they know it is you who owns our hearts. Lord, if we have hurt others in the past because of careless words, help us to seek forgiveness, and help us to forgive those who have used words to harm us. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.