Words are amazing. It’s difficult to understand how a combination of a few letters can cause so many different reactions, depending on how they are used. They are a powerful tool that can encourage, comfort, teach, welcome, rebuke, hurt, and even destroy. In the right mouths, words can slice the very soul of a person. Those of you who know me may agree that I do not spread my words liberally, but even in spite of this, I still find it difficult at times to channel my speech in ways that are glorifying to God. How easy it is to let an unkind comment slip off your tongue, almost without realizing it.
Each day, it takes no ear-straining to catch wafts of conversations that are derogatory and ugly towards others, and it is almost like listening to nails screech down a chalk board. Even though I may know talking in this way can be hurtful and is a poor witness, it is far too easy to let my guard down and fall into the habit. From experience, I have realized that negative comments can not only hurt other people, but can also be harmful to yourself. It’s true. For some reason, giving an audible voice to ungodly opinions only makes them grow stronger. This makes it much more difficult to change your thoughts and see things the way you know God wants you to, which in turn strains your relationship with Him, as all sin does. It would be so much better to just speak kindly to begin with.
