WORDS

"Sticks and Stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me"

Whoever said this obviously didn't understand the concept of words. In fact, words can hurt deeper than some silly twig or rock can. Words can change ones perception of someone, can tear down and build someone up. Yet this is so common, even in the Church! The bullying, the teasing, the gossip, the negativity, the intolerance. It's all there. How have we allowed ourselves to become desensitized toward such a thing?

I was a victim of this today, which was surprising because in a situation like that I would typically shrug it off, but found myself upset. It reminded me of the power of encouragement and made me wonder, how many times do I say something mean or offensive to someone instead of showing them grace? If I overhear someone gossiping, why don't I just walk away or say something to protect that person's honor?
This is an issue that needs to be prioritized.

We may gossip or speak badly about someone out of jealousy and envy, we may gossip to cover up an insecurity about ourseves. But gossip, all in all, is just negative. Nothing good comes out of it. Since when did cutting someone else down to make ourselves feel good become so common? As the body of Christ, we are called to encourage and edify each other, to speak love to our strengths and help each other with our weaknesses.

James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.
As children of God in Christ Jesus, we need to speak encouragement to others. These are people made in the image of God. We need to see them as such and encourage them. Sometimes people just may need an encouraging word or acknowledgement. We need to be the love of Christ and be a good example of His word by extending that love to others.

We need to ask ourselves, do we want to bless and encourage someone with a word? Take for instance that cashier at Wal-Mart. Do we want to argue with her because she's having a bad day or do we want to extend grace and ask her how her day is going? One kind word can go a long way.

I know that am convicted to speak words of encouragement and love unto others, because it is part of the example that Jesus showed. He truly is the greatest role model.


Stop with the cutting words
Stop with the gossip
Be an encouragement
Extend grace
Speak love

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