THINK TOGETHER.
Do you tend to speak without thinking first?
READ TOGETHER
Proverbs 12:18. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Over and over again the Bible tells us that our words are powerful. God created everything simply by speaking. Jesus healed people simply by speaking. His words are powerful. And our words are powerful too. Solomon says that they can be like cutting sword thrusts or they can bring healing.
The wise person knows how powerful words are. Rash words, or mean words, are like the cut from a sword or knife. It might heal over time but there will always be a scar. When you say something mean or cruel to someone they will remember it for a very long time. If you say something to someone without thinking first, if you accuse or label someone, you might cause them to spend their whole life believing that negative thing that you said.
In the New Testament, James warns about our words too:
James 3:6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
One thing we can know for sure is that what we say matters very much. Our words are very powerful, like a small flame that become a roaring fire. Therefore, we must always think before we speak, and choose words that help rather than hurt.
Here’s one more thing we can know for sure, Jesus never speaks rash words to us. He is gentle and kind. His words to us always bring healing. His words are always loving and still truthful. Yes, he will tell us when we are doing something wrong, but he doesn’t label us by the wrong that we do. He is always encouraging, always forgiving, and always
Because of Jesus we know that God’s word to us will never be mean.
With Jesus we can use words that help not hurt.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Write some “healing words” on 3×5 cards. Post them around your house so everyone can practice using healing words rather than rash words.
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, help me to think before I speak. Help my words to be like yours, helpful not hurtful. Amen.
TLICfamily 