Examining Our Words

We have all heard it said, "Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me." Yet, all of us know from experience that critical, mean, or unkind words cut deeply. James 3:6 speaks to this and says that these kinds of words are "set on fire by hell" itself. We live in a world of road rage, cyberbullying, and criticism. Laws have been made for cyberbullying because even words said over the internet have been so damaging that some youth have committed suicide do to the words spoken to them. Many I have counselled, who after ten, twenty, thirty, forty, even fifty years are still wrestling and conflicted by negative things said about them or to them years before. Yes, the weight of unkind words can be unbearable and are extremely dangerous due to their hellish origins. Yet, in contrast James 3:17-18 speaks of heavenly wisdom that does the opposite of hurting and destroying. For he says, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." These are words that bring peace through gentleness and mercy the very opposite of the words set on fire by hell. So we must always be asking ourselves, where do my words come from? Are they scented by hell - driven by pride, selfish ambition, and jealousy? Are they harsh, bitter and unreasonable? Or do they have a heavenly goodness that is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable and sincere? Do they bring together or tear apart?