Our words have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). So I figured it’s about time we talked about it.
We all probably, at one time, said something we shouldn’t have to a friend, sibling, parent….
Maybe you said those words on purpose, maybe you didn’t. Maybe you were really mad at your sibling and told him/her “You’re the worst!”
Those words can hurt. They can stick with that person till the end of their life. Even if you didn’t mean it, it can still make a mark and make that person wonder, “Is that true?”
Proverbs 13:16 – Wise people think before they act.
Maybe you’ve been on the receiving end of harsh words. Not fun, right? Maybe after you felt like you don’t belong, you’re worthless, and just plain wondered: Are those words true?
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post (Devo, Self-Worth), there are, on average, 132 suicides per day. Some of those people, I bet, took their lives because of what someone said to them: You’re worthless, you’re ugly, you’re stupid, you’re dumb, you don’t belong here.
And none of those words are true! People may say those out of jealousy, or they might say that to look or act cool in front of others.
Maybe you’ve been through an experience where someone said something unkind to you. And you realized how much those words hurt.
Proverbs 12:18 – Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Just as easily as mean words can bring you down, positive and kind words can bring you up.
Has someone ever said something nice to you? Like “I like your hair,” “Nice job at your game,” “You’re so great at _____,” “Cute outfit,” or “You’re great at basketball.” Those kind of words bring LIFE. And, I’m sure, when people say those words to you, you realize how great it feels when people say that to you.
In Sadie Robertson Huff’s book, Live, she wrote a chapter on your words and how powerful they can be. Here she lists what words can do:
The words of life empower. The words of death destroy.
The words of life encourage. The words of death cause people to lose heart.
The words of life affirm. The words of death tear down.
The words of life give hope. The words of death cause despair.
The words of life are confident. The words of death are powerless.
The words of life are full of hope for the future. The words of death replay the pain of the past.
Next she talks about the roots – where words of life and death come from.
The words of life are rooted in a place of security. The words of death are rooted in a place of jealousy.
The words of life are rooted in knowing you’re loved. The words of death come from feeling unwanted.
The words of life are rooted in feeling content. The words of death come from never being satisfied.
The words of life are rooted in being confident in who God made you to be. The words of death come from striving to do more to find your worth.
The words of life are rooted in knowing you are accepted just the way you are. The words of death come from feeling rejection.
The words of life are rooted in peace. The words of death come from fear and anxiety.
The words of life are rooted in a positive attitude. The words of death come from a negative outlook.
The words of life are rooted in caring about others. The words of death come from focusing on yourself.
Such good words. Never forget: your words have the power of life and death. How crazy is it that we have the ability to encourage, inspire, and share the love of God? (Ephesians 4:29.) But we also have the ability to bring people down, cause despair, and even possibly make someone consider committing suicide.
Which words will you speak?
Daily Challenge: Try to be more aware of whether your words bring life or death.
Comment: Have you ever been hurt by words? Have you ever felt life from words?
I totally get what you are saying. Youth particularly is a hard time to receive degrading words. When I was in Middle School I had a long-term crush on a boy in my youth group but he made an issue of letting everyone know that he thought I was ugly iand that my best friend , the pastor’s daughter, was the one he liked. Those feelings of rejection through the unkind words stayed with me for a long time and were hard to overcome.
You are such a talented writer! I love reading your devotions. They are so encouraging to spread the news of God more!
Great devotion Charity. Such good wisdom for life. 🙂
I have been very hurt by words one time I was watching one of the girls in my class play Gaga ball, and I said “come on (persons name) you are really good at Gaga ball.” She took advantage of me being nice and said “you are fat and ugly” those words really hurt but I walked away (crying) I got home and never told my mom, until I realized I was being bullied, I told my mom and she said don’t worry you are not fat or ugly (as a fact I was like the skinniest one in my class) and My mom said that she was just jealous which made me feel a lot better I ended up giving her and her parents a note of what had been happening To me. It really helped and now she is one of my best friends. Note of advice:if you are having any problems go to your mom, it helps. And also I took that moment and think before you speak or do.
Yeah, it hurts! I’m sorry she said that to you, but yes, it was most likely out of jealousy. Amen, I go to my mom with everything! That’s cool you guys are friends now.
Love this post! Very inspiring! 🙂
Great post !!! Something I’ve been hurt by I was a few years ago I went to school, and about half an au through the year one of the girls started being mean to me . Once I went over and talked to her and she said ,” who would want to be nice to someone like you . You’re not pretty , you’re weird , and you don’t fit in,” this hurt a lot and left with insecurities for a few years but because of some great friends the hole has been healed with the truth !!