May 13, 2020

Good morning Friends of Elbridge Community Church,

Have you ever been on the receiving end of life-giving, encouraging words? Maybe, at other times, someone has spoken cruel or unkind words to you, are these words lodged in your brain, bringing you sorrow each time you recalled them? We’ve all heard the phrase “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” In my mind, that statement couldn’t be further from the truth.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

Many people bring blessings into their life through the words they speak and the way they speak them. And others bring troubles and problems by the words they speak. The words we speak and the way we speak them is what it means in Proverbs where it says the tongue has the power of life and death.

Words are powerful. We’ve all, no doubt, been wounded at some point by careless, unkind or mean statements. We have at some time in our lives spoke unkind careless words. Their effect on our lives, even years later, is undeniable. The impact our words have on others cannot be overstated. One small comment or remark can make the difference between building a relationship up or tearing it down. We have the power to either encourage or destroy others with our speech.

A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. Proverbs 15:1 (MSG)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)

The Bible speaks extensively about the power of words, especially positive ones, and warns about the dangers of careless ones. I think that a great lesson to be learned is the old saying, think before you speak. This will allow us the time to think about how to say what we want to say and to rethink if we even want to say it at all.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)

Believers should continually verbally remind each other to turn away from sin and to stay focused on Christ. People cannot live as Christians in a vacuum. Christians need each other so that they don’t become deceived by sin and hardened against God. Speaking words of encouragement into someone’s life can and will greatly strengthen their relationship with you and our God.

Let us strive to remember the power of our words and their impact on those who hear them. Think twice before making a negative statement, and instead find a way to pass along an encouraging word today.

May God richly bless you in all your endeavors.

Pastor Dennis