Careless and hurtful words that you speak today can effect another's life negatively twenty years down the road. Hard truth to swallow! I know from experience.
Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits"
There are consequences for everything we say. Whether the words are encouraging or destructive, as followers of Jesus,, we will reap the effects they have on others. Words that are spoken in haste, carelessness, prejudice, jest, jealousy, or judgement can cause deep and lasting pain.
Even when we try to undo the hurt by repenting, apologizing and seeking forgiveness, many times the enemy will use those words to continue the destruction. Strongholds in others are created by our careless, judgemental,, or even hateful (hate-filled) words. One brick upon another, the walls in their heart are reinforced.
I have been guilty of saying many hurtful things in the past. Words that I spoke have caused others to live in bondage to the pain of them. I wish I could take those words back.
Even in this phase of my life, as I walk in freedom, I must still guard my tongue. I must be sensitive to others feelings and be led by the Holy Spirit when I unleash my tongue. While the desire of my heart is not to cause harm, the enemy can use any careless word to add more bricks to strongholds within others. 1 Peter 2:16 reads, "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." And Galatians 5:13 instructs us, "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
There's no excuse for anything distasteful that comes out of my mouth. I can't blame what happened in my childhood, or how I was raised by my patents, or my own brokenness. When hurtful words stream off my tongue, its ugliness in my heart.
Today I recognize that ugliness as sin. Though I've confessed it to God and to those I hurt , there are still consequences. Broken relationships, hurt feelings, and deep scars that even though my hateful words created them,, I cannot always mend. The words, "I'm sorry" are often too late - not always but sometimes.
Words that you speak today can effect another's life positively or negatively twenty years down the road. Beware! Words we speak can push others away from knowing God.
Give careful thought to every word that comes out of your mouth or that you type in text, email, and on social media.
Speak life! Speak truth in love! Just as I've had to do,, repent and seek God's help to heal any hurt you may have caused.
If we shrug it off as the other persons problem, that's pride and pride leads to destruction. One way or another, we will reap the consequences.
Think of these words from the books of James and Proverbs.
James 3:6-10
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
Proverbs 15: 1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but hard words stir up anger.”
Proverbs 15:4
“Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Grace and peace,
Allison Pelphrey
