“The tongue has the power of life and
death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”—Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
Have you
ever thought about that scripture? Really
thought about it? It confirms that our communication is more important and
powerful than many of us know. Everyday life and the Bible tell us so.
Words are weapons for good or evil.
I doubt
there is one person who can say they have never
spoken or heard negativity. (Let’s be realistic; even fairy tales deal with
emotional darkness.) Some may wonder if pessimism is a problem. The answer is
an emphatic “Yes!!!”
The effects
of callous conversation might not be immediately obvious. The scars may be
hidden, but they’re still real. Deep mental wounds can be as traumatizing as physical
ones. Just ask anyone who’s been harassed, abused, or bullied.
TobyMac’s “Speak Life”
This singer
put together an uplifting song. It simply, but effectively, shows the consequences
of harshness. Please enjoy the video, which is well worth your time:
My Conclusion
“…no human being can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil, full of poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father,
and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.”—James 5:7-8
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“I tell you, on the day of judgment,
people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words
you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”—Matthew 12:26-27
************
“Let no corrupting talk come out of
your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion,
that it may give grace to those who hear.”—Ephesians 4:29
Life
presents many difficulties. Some personalities particularly struggle with
frustration. It’s easy to lash out unthinkingly in anger when we’re going
through trauma. However, there will probably be unhappy consequences.
If I have to
choose between keeping a relationship thriving and temporarily venting my negative
feelings, I will choose the latter. I focus
on long-term goals.
Related Posts
For more on the importance of compassionate communication, please
click here to see my book, Accept
No Trash Talk: Overcoming the Odds.
Do you choose life or death with your
words?
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