The Power of Our Words

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. – (Proverbs 12:18, NIV) 

Speak without thinking, and your words can cut like a knife. Be wise, and your words can heal. – (Proverbs 12:18, ERV) 

Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal. – (Proverbs 12:18, TPT) 

I have been the recipient and deliverer of both reckless and wise words. With each incident of recklessness, words brought harm to both the messenger and the audience. For the speaker, it either tarnishes the reputation or incites guilt at the realization of what words escaped without thinking; sometimes, it does both. However, when words are thoughtfully spoken in love, healing, help, encouragement and good are the result. Wisdom with words comes from listening and seeking to understand, prior to speaking. The ultimate healing wisdom is granted as we seek the Lord and His heart for the recipient of our words. May we ever listen to understand and seek the Lord for wisdom with our words. Let wisdom be sought and shared, and reckless responses be silenced before they are spoken. 

May each word we speak, 

Be laden in love; 

Righteous responses, 

From God up above.  

Let words without thought, 

Be silenced, not heard; 

So all that we speak, 

Be God’s loving words. 

Protect us from haste, 

Speaking without thought; 

So healing happens, 

As God’s truth is taught. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You grant us wisdom with our words to bring healing when we are willing to be slow to speak and eager to listen. Thank You that You are the ultimate Provider of words that heal. Forgive us for every reckless word spoken. Teach us to do and be better, so that we seek You for wisdom with our words. Show us how to love others with our words, bringing healing and hope and help. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we listen to learn and speak to bring life. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. – Psalm 143:8

Wise Words Build Bridges

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. – (Proverbs 12:18, NIV)

Speak without thinking, and your words can cut like a knife. Be wise, and your words can heal. – (Proverbs 12:18, ERV)

Reckless words are like the thrusts of a sword, cutting remarks meant to stab and hurt. But the words of the wise soothe and heal. – (Proverbs 12:18, TPT)

 

As I continue to mull over Sunday’s message, I am reminded of how much I value well-weighed words. Words of encouragement are some of the sweetest things for my soul, yet reckless words can bring my heart to ruin. Our words have the power to penetrate people’s hearts – for both healing and for destruction. We must choose wisely how we use our words, for they echo long after they leave our lips. As an adult who has experienced words utilized for both healing and for hurt, I have learned to form a filter, and give far less weight to the words of those who have not yet earned my trust. That being said, our job is to build bridges between people, not walls. Bridges are formed when safety is established, and safety comes when our words and actions align. May we ever seek the Lord to tame our tongue as He leads us on the path He has placed before us, so that we find wisdom to offer words that soothe and bring healing.

 

Words that are reckless, 

Pierce hearts like a sword;

Yet words of the wise,

Are healing outpoured.

We have the power,

To heal or to harm;

With the words we speak,

That fire or disarm.

May we choose to think,

Before we give voice;

So our words bring life,

And hearers rejoice.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You speak words of light and life and love into our hearts and souls so that we may know hope forever in You. Thank You that You call us to be wise with our words to bring healing to those around us. Forgive us for speaking without thinking or for being reckless with our words. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would slow down and listen with our hearts to hear the words that You would have us speak that bring healing and health and wholeness. Show us how to love those around us well with well-chosen words. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to grant us wisdom to use our words to bring healing to those around us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Listen… be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. – Proverbs 23:19