Sticks and Stones

What seems to be a hot topic these days on social media?  Tearing others down physically and emotionally.  It’s the norm.  Almost every day, I read about someone having to defend themselves against the criticisms of others.

The problem?  We aren’t held accountable for our words.  On the contrary, here’s what the Bible has to say about that.

And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”  Matthew 15:10-11

We think we can speak whatever is on our minds, whether it’s harmful or helpful to others, and get away with it.  WHY IS THIS?  Do we not think about how our words affect others?  How they affect our testimony?  Our character?  Our relationship with God?  

Our words affect everyone around us, and they affect our own hearts. 

The Bible says “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” 

“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”

Wow.  We don’t realize how much power, life and death, we spew out of our mouths daily.

Seeing how a television news anchor can degrade a woman simply because she’s angry about life and her hurtful words have hardly any consequences, we have become a society who can say anything to anyone and it be acceptable. 

Twitter was bombarded with hateful comments about Pink’s (the performer and MOTHER) body and weight after she posted a picture taken with her daughter, dressed in an evening gown where she looks absolutely stunning.  Yet folks wanna say she’s gained too much weight and is "too fat."  Have you seen that picture???  Google it and tell me if YOU think she's "fat."  I prefer to think she's perfect.  Whose place is it to judge her body image and what’s too skinny or too fat, too pretty or too ugly?  Who has the right to make that judgment???  Not any one of us.

And yet we do it.  We are constantly critical of others and hold nothing back when speaking our thoughts.  And it’s downright dangerous.  Not only are we damaging the spirit of the person at the other end of our judgment, but also we are hardening our own hearts, creating bitterness and ugliness inside of ourselves.  

And we are teaching our children to do the same.

My “Mommy Instincts” want to protect my kids from the hurtful words of others.  However, the only option I have is to teach them to guard their hearts, forgive others, and speak only life into those around them.  And I can teach them to be accountable, because the Lord WILL hold them accountable.

But while they are still young, it’s my responsibility… to show them how to love unconditionally, with no filters for what our society calls “fat” and “ugly.” 

Carrie Underwood’s new song “Little Toy Guns” is so accurate and appropriate for today.  I do wish words were like little toy guns.  No pain.  No hurting anyone.  No smoke.  No bullets.  Just a “bang, bang” rolling off your tongue. 

If only it were that simple.

Words are hurtful.  Choose them wisely, my friends.  You can NEVER, ever, ever take them back.