HURTFUL WORDS
My Books | Articles | Link To Me | Web Rings | Banner Links | Text Links
April 1999
When hurtful words come our way from the people of the world, should we strike back with distasteful words? No, we shouldn't. Why? For one reason, it really hinders our witness. For another, as representatives of Christ, it makes our Lord look bad. Our Lord is a God of love and righteousness, not of hate and discontent.
God gave us a wonderful promise in Isaiah 54:17: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgement, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord."
What an awesome promise God has given us. We don't have to strike back with distasteful words, but with the power of our living God who is with us. When we speak in truth, people become confounded, tongue-tied if you will.
When Jesus Christ spoke truth to the Pharisees they became angry because Jesus spoke the Truth of God. They wanted to hurt Him, but they couldn't because of God's promise and awesome protection. I'm not saying that we won't encounter a slap or a punch; it could happen, but the power of God's righteousness is real and awesome.
In Luke 21:15, Jesus tells the disciples, "I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict and resist." God will give us words to say, words of truth. God will not give is words of destruction, depression, and oppression. God desires us to go forth and to proclaim His message of love, righteousness, salvation, and eternal life.
Proverbs 15:1, 2 tells us, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." God doesn't desire us to use harsh or distasteful words that cause contention or confrontation, but words of truth. The power of words (the power in our words) can either destroy or edify. When we strike back, we are destroying instead of edifying or building up a person.
What if a person just continues to strike out at us? At times it is hard to hold fast to the promises of God, but it is important we do; it is a shield in the collection of armor God has given us. In Proverbs 18:7, the Word of God tells us, "A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips the snare of his soul." The adversary or those in the world attack us. God will use their own words against them to put them in check. With their attitudes, they make their own life of destruction. God gives us a life full of awesome and wonderful promises. Proverbs 21:23 gives us this to grasp onto: "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles." It is important we stand on the wonderful promises of God and speak in truth. In 1 Corinthians 1:20, the Apostle Paul asks the Corinthians, "Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made fools the wisdom of this world?"
Has God made the wisdom of this world foolish? The world's knowledge never seems to bring any real healing or solving any problems.
Next time someone or the world bombards you with hateful, awful words, remember His awesome promise and speak in the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember this: More have been loved into the Kingdom of God than by striking at them with distasteful words. Helpful words make a difference in people's lives!
(c) 1999 by Pastor Aaron D. Lint
