Words. Words. Words.

When you were a kid you probably said something along the lines of, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me." Maybe even, "I'm rubber. You're glue. What you say bounces off of me and sticks to you." Those phrases are ways we learned to try to deflect what others say that we didn't like or that was hurtful to us. I mean, they both are awful because even when we said them we still felt horrible by the words that were thrown at us in the first place. But I get the point.

The bible has a lot to say about our words. A few years ago I took one of those passages of scripture and turned it into a meme with the help of my then 7 year old.

So obviously the NIV doesn't include the added parentheses but the truth of this verse in Ephesians is no less vital. Every word we say carries great weight behind it. We should choose very carefully how we use words at all times.

Words either build up or tear down. The things we say, and even more importantly how we say them, can show someone the value they have to those around them and encourage them to be all they have been created to be or will cause them to shrink away from relationships and opportunities. I am not talking about always sugar-coating things, although a spoonful of sugar really does help the medicine go down. What I am saying is that even in moments of correction, our words should be wrapped in love for the person we're saying them to, even if the only love we can muster in that moment is the love of Jesus.

The Bible also tells us that our words bring life or death.

I think that most of the time we think of this in a spiritual/physical way. It is often used in context of healing and restoration. But what if we looked at it through the lens of dreams and hopes, of character and confidence? If our kids, or your grandkids or the kids you work with, come to you with a dream in their heart, how you respond in word could make or break their perseverance of the dream. Even yourself! Don't you dare tell yourself that you can't reach a goal or achieve what you know that God wants you to do.

So what is something we can do to help ourselves choose the right and best words to use when we talk about ourselves or others or a situation? Well, it's your day because guess what? The Bible tells us that, too!

Here's how The Passion Translation shares it, but with a few surrounding verses for context because context is ALWAYS important with the Bible. 'Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Follow the example of all that we have imparted to you and the God of peace will be with you in all things.' Philippians 4:6-9

The common saying of "what you think about you bring about" is very true. If your thoughts and words are focused on the negative well, then, you're pretty much only ever going to see everything wrong with life and the world around you. But if you make it a conscious effort to do what Philippians 4:8 says, then even when things aren't so great, you're going to be able to focus more on the big picture than the little section you're seeing in that moment.

Be known as someone who speaks life, who shares goodness, someone who will build others up through words drenched with the beauty of Jesus. Who can't help but love that person?