“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” Psalm 119:23.

“Sticks and stones my break my bones; but words will never hurt me…” This is the old childhood chant that we would say when some other child was hurling cruel words at us. It was meant to express that even though physical force may hurt the body; the “bully” would not be given the power to hurt the one being insulted.

Too often many adults choose to play mental games of cruelty as well; however, we still have the power to refuse to allow insults and negative inferences to invade our peace. The Word of God is our safe place in all things. That old arch-enemy of our souls is the great deceiver and the father of all lies; he desires to still our peace and hurt us in any way possible. Abusive language has a deep, long-lasting, hurting effect that can pierce like swords. “There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” Proverbs 12:18.

The bible teaches and guides us to use healthy communication, speaking in a manner that is healing and uplifting to others. The truth is, our speech actuality reveals what is going on way down deep inside of us. Luke 6:45 states, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

God’s desire is that we “encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 states: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” To those of us who have been born of the Spirit of God are to be lights in this dark world, shining so that others may see Christ good works in us.

Let us speak words of healing, peace, love and kindness towards all men, being examples of Christ. Colossians 3:16 states “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

As the saying goes… if you can’t say anything good; don’t say anything at all!  Meditating on God’s Word places our focus on His truth, places a guard over our tongue and ultimately gives us peace from the insults of the enemy. Ephesians 6:17 states “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

May God help us all to think carefully before we speak…is it kind, necessary, or true- remember that there are things that are true but may not be necessary or kind to say at the time, somethings may also be necessary, but need to be seasoned with kindness. So, let us pray that our conversations with and about others be as written in Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

May the blessing, peace, and joy of the Lord be with us now and forever.