3-5A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!" (NIV)
The childhood rhyme:
"Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words can never hurt me!"
Is a lie! We all know it and have suffered the consequences of words that have cut deep into our hearts. Some of us might have developed a thicker skin and find ourselves hurt less often by words than others but we still know the power of words spoken to wound and destroy.
The problem is that we often know the words others have spoken that hurt us but we are oblivious to the words we have spoken that wound those closest to us. Maybe we make light of someone else in order to garner a laugh in the midst of a crowd and miss the look of pain that crosses their face because we have touched a deep hurt in their lives. Or in an effort to encourage or motivate we belittle someone's effort and what they hear is "you don't think I can do anything of value."
James knows the power of words. Do you?
Some thoughts to ponder and discuss with others:
- Are you quick to speak and slow to listen or quick to listen and slow to speak?
- Who has spoken the most encouraging words to you? What did they say?
- Who is a person that you will see today that could benefit from an encouraging word from you?
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