Devotional:

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” What a lie from Satan. We do not understand or respect the power of our words. Words have become the harshest weapon used against each other because of social media and the news. We can use words to intentionally build up and encourage others, and we can intentionally harm others. Why is that? Why do we choose to go for the gut punch with our words?

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

— Proverbs 18:21

Our words are so powerful that they can change what people think about who they are, how they view themselves, what they think of others, how they react to things, and even take it as far as what actions they may take…on themselves or others. Suicide rates and ideations are skyrocketing. Bullying and cyberbullying are at an all-time high among middle and high school students. And grown adults like politicians and news media and celebrities are killing each other with some of the most childish, immature and harsh words than we’ve ever heard before. Yet, it is becoming more and more popular because of our “courage” behind screens that we wouldn’t dare say face to face.

Although it seems new because of our different outlets for slander and revile, it isn’t new at all. Jesus and His followers were persecuted all throughout the New Testament. They were the first models of what it should look like when we receive harsh words with the intent of harming and breaking us down. Jesus endured it and he prepared us for it.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

— Matthew 5:10-11.

It is kind of hard to feel blessed when we receive persecution, false accusations, slander and evil words toward us. But this is one of the most powerful and significant moments in Jesus’s 33 years on earth. He gave the Sermon on the Mount. These beautiful blessings Jesus spoke over everyone depicted the true heart of Jesus and the characteristics of God that we so desperately strive for as followers of Christ.

Today we would say #goals.

No one was persecuted, ridiculed, reviled and slandered against more than Jesus. Yet, He did not sin. Not once. Of course, He got angry at the temple, felt sad when He saw his friend’s sadness, felt abandoned by God on the cross, afraid in the garden of Gethsemane, disappointed with the Pharisees…but He still never sinned. These emotions were not sins. It was what He chose to do with those emotions that kept Him from sinning.

Being afraid in the garden the night before His imminent death and asking if there was any other way, of course, was scary but He said, “Your will be done.” Turning over the tables in the Temple showed His anger but not toward the men. It was righteous anger toward the sin that He was seeing displayed in His Father’s house. His disappointment with the Pharisees was toward the hypocrisy and legalism they displayed. But He never gave up on them and continued to engage in conversations, challenging them for the sake of their eternal salvation.

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

— Proverbs 12:18

Jesus used His words to bring life and healing to those around Him. It is obvious throughout Scripture that it was not something that would have been easy for us to do. It probably took much discipline for Him as well. But if we spend time and dig into these moments in the Bible and reflect and learn from His example of perfect love, our hearts will start to change how our words come out and make a change for good, and not evil.

“They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.”

— Psalm 64:3

What will you choose to sharpen your tongue with? Will it be a sword that spews out hurtful words that pierce and harm whomever you encounter? Or will you sharpen it with Scripture and the knowledge of Christ living in you, so that your words may love, heal and show Christ to everyone around you? Even those who intend to harm you first? Scripture in…Scripture out…

“Do not repay evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of it all.”

— Romans 12:17

Think of a significant moment when you were ridiculed, reviled slandered, either for your faith or a personal attack.

How can you choose to use those moments for good instead of repaying evil with evil?

What steps can you take to choose love and kindness with your words this week?

Read these passages as your prayer today. Use them as tools to remember to love with your words. Remember, Scripture goes in, Scripture comes out.

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

— Ephesians 4:25-32

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

— Psalm 19:14

Amen.