Who can words hurt?

Words can do grievous amounts of damage to someone, including our brothers and sisters in Christ. It's so easy to let loose means words, even if they hold truth. But worse than that, we can grieve even our Creator. Ephesians 4:30-32 records something beautiful, saying,

"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

Do your words show a tender heart? There is no call for us to be wrathful—God can manage that in the end. But kindness accomplishes so very, very much. Let's practice that ever hour. 

Hurtful Words

BQ:  I bet we've all experienced it. You wonder if a person is the best thing ever, or vicious and crazy. One moment they're the kindest ever, and then they cuss you out, screaming, out of the blue. Within a couple of hours it's like it never happened. 

So what's the truth—are they totally loving or absolutely hateful? What's the baseline? Luke 6:45 says, "the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." 

Don't discount hurtful words; they can be a look at the very heart of a person.

A fool's lips!

BQ:  Often I've said things without thinking of the results, and the results have been discord and unhappiness. What does God say about that sort of behavior? 
 

"A fool’s lips bring strife,

And his mouth calls for blows.

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,

But any fool will quarrel." (Pro 18:6; 20:3)

Before we speak, we should consider whether or not it will cause strife. If it will, it's better to remain silent or think of another, wiser approach. :)