We must show love to each other in our deeds and, just as important, in our words.
What we choose to do with words in our communications can show love, respect, and kindness, uplift the spirit, and bolster morale. Or, our words can evoke an ugliness that pierces a person’s very soul and can have a long-lasting negative effect. It is said that harmful words can cause more damage than a physical wound. Physical wounds can heal with time, but emotional scars last much longer.
The Apostle Paul advises the Philippian Church in his letter to them to always keep their hearts and minds on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (4:8). This admonition should govern our speech also.
When we use the Apostle’s counsel as a means of measuring our words, we would:
1. Avoid negative discussions or conversations about others, especially in their absence.
3. Not participate in spreading information about others which we do not know to be true or factual.
Sadly, at some point, all of us have been talked about or have talked about others in an unloving way. Even Jesus Christ was badmouthed. In the Gospel of Mark 6:1-6 we are told of an occasion when Jesus visited his hometown. The folks talked negatively about Him, so He did not stay long in the town or perform many miracles there.
Proverbs 10:31-32 says, “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. The lips of the righteous know what is fitting but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.”
A great example of the pain that unwise words cause and the damage they inflict on the human spirit is captured by King David as he pours out his heart in Psalm 41:5-8
My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?”
Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad.
All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me
saying, “A vile disease has beset him. He will never get up from the place where he lies.”
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life. . .” (Proverbs 10:11). “The lips of the righteous nourish many. . .” (Proverbs 10:21). These are among the scriptures to be found on the positive use of words. This is certainly what we should be seeking in our conversations: to be a fountain of life and to nourish others.
We would not want to be that person described in Proverbs 11:9 who “destroys his neighbor” with his godless mouth.
Words have been given to us as a means of communication. With the tool of words, we have the choice to build one another up or tear each other down. How we speak to and speak of each other can have long-lasting and long-reaching effects to empower or imprison.
We are called to love each other, so let’s use our words with love to love.
