Do They Hurt Or Heal?

Do They Hurt or Heal?

Did you know that one of the strongest muscles in your body is your tongue? It doesn’t wear down over time and through excessive use like the other muscles in our body. We use it to speak, to drink, to chew, and some people like Michael Jordan and my younger son, Cooper, use it when they are driving to the basket.

As a strong muscle, the tongue has great power. Scripture declares that the tongue has the power to hurt and the power to heal. Proverbs 12:18 states, “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” The English Standard Version translates verse 18 as, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts.”

Pastor Rick Vasquez says that his father gave him the nickname “Feo,” which is Spanish for “ugly,” when he was a kid. Rick said that he then tried to live up to that name. Rick lived an ugly life. He made many poor choices and ended up being incarcerated for his crimes. In jail, Rick’s name was changed to “Chamuco,” which means “demon,” and once again, he lived up to his name. Rick was placed in solitary confinement because he was considered a threat to the prison’s security staff.

The words we use set the trajectory of the lives of our children. They set the climate of our relationship with our wives. Our words will influence the quality of the contribution of those we work with make to our team.

How are your words? Are they like the thrust of the sword, piercing and damaging flesh, or are they like a salve that brings healing? You get to choose whether your words will hurt or heal. Let’s use our words to heal.

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Proverbs 12:18