Sticks and stones … and hurtful words

October 24, 2006

By Greg Ebie

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Perhaps no other lie has been more gleefully sung by children of all ages, including yours truly. I remember times growing up when names would be called back and forth. I would look my adversary in the eye; sing my little lie and then stick my tongue out at them.

Over time, though, the words would cut deep. I was fortunate my parents didn’t join the chorus of name-calling and spiteful words. If they heard us kids calling each other names they were quick to intervene; more than once I had my mouth washed out with soap for things I said.

I can only begin to imagine the pain some people carry with them from crushing words spoken to them by their parents. And for others, while their parents may not have said hurtful words, they didn’t receive any healing words either. Without that affirmation, how much the name-calling and spiteful words of siblings and friends must be magnified in their lives.

“The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction; the common sense of the godly preserves them.”

(Proverbs 11:9, The Message)

Solomon understood the power of the spoken word. The words we speak can either be weapons to destroy and kill or tools to build up and heal. It takes very little skill to use words that cut and hurt; such destructive words are picked up easily and recycled on others.

More effort and skill is required to speak words of life and healing. These are the words that are desperately needed. The people we meet each day represent an opportunity for a timely well-spoken word of encouragement, healing and life. Let’s learn to use our words as tools to build up and repair the hurt caused by words spoken carelessly.

D. Greg Ebie is senior pastor of Praise Assembly of God in Garrettsville, Ohio, and an author of Daily Bread devotionals.