Words can never hurt me.....

　
I’ve written about it before, the power of words, the lie in the children’s jingle “sticks and stones….”

Words can hurt. Words DO hurt.

“ An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” (Proverbs 11:9 KJV)


I’m certainly not immune to it. But I confess that I seem to think some other people might be. I am a hypocrite who is guilty of destroying with my words rather than delivering and building up. It is so easy for me to criticize.

But it doesn’t have to be so. I can demolish, or I can be constructive. It is my choice, a choice birthed from the attitude of my heart.

….tempered by the knowledge that I am just a sinner saved by the grace of God thru Jesus Christ.

I’ve been on the receiving side of destructive words.

And I know the healing that can come from words, even those of a negative nature, but spoken in love and encouragement….challenging me to rise up and be the child of God I am called and empowered to be.

Which will it be today? Destruction? Or construction?

Keep talking and you just dig yourself deeper....

　

Haven’t you been there with a kid when they talk, talk, talk….trying to explain their way out of some bad behavior or unwise decision. Rather than just admit the wrong?

(….Abba says, yes I have…with you Connie ! )

“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19 NIV)

The televised murder trials, the conspiracy theories, terrorist attacks, political activities, on and on the list could go…. They talk and talk and talk. And while there is certainly value in investigating and gathering information, I wonder that all the talk doesn’t muddy the water and hinder truth.

(…In 3 minutes last night, I learned the new details about the evil committed in Boston. But I’m sure the talk went on all night. Same details and same information. Just more talk…)

So how do I apply this personally?        (…I can identify it so easily in others….)

My wise husband has often said to me, ‘the more you stir it, the more it stinks’. Perhaps that fits with what The Teacher says to me this morning in this verse.

The Good News Bible puts it like this, “The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.”

It is not necessary that I make sure every detail of whatever I think I know….…..is known by everyone else!

None of us are exempt from sin. None of us are beyond transgression with our words. Truth can be elaborated on by all of us.

We are wise to speak what truth is necessary, and then zip it.

　

　

　

Oh be careful little lips what you say*•♫♪♪♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪* ....

　

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. "For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.

"But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death." (Proverbs 8:34-36 NASB)

I’ve been trying to think of a new song for children’s time at church. As I continue to read thru the Proverbs, the lyrics from a childhood song come to mind. “…for the Father up above, is looking down in love, so be careful little lips what you say.” (…*•♫♪♪♫ and be careful also, little eyes, ears, feet ♫♪♪♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪* ….)

More than once Jesus instructed that “..if anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Matt 4:23 NIV is one example) "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued in verse 24.

　
Here in Proverbs, that subject is repeated.

“Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day's work.

When you find me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of GOD's good pleasure.

But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul; when you reject me, you're flirting with death." (Proverbs 8:34-36 The Message)

The wrong that we choose to say and do hurts God simply because it hurts us. We can’t be ‘bad’ enough to alter His holiness.

And we can’t be ‘good’ enough to measure up to it….

Here's a list for me to work on.....

　

　

“There are six things the LORD hates. In fact, he hates seven things. The LORD hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who aren't guilty. He also hates hearts that make evil plans, feet that are quick to do evil, any witness who pours out lies, and anyone who stirs up family fights.”(Proverbs 6:16-19 NIrV)

1. Proud eyes.
2. Lying tongue.
3. Hurting the innocent.
4. Making plans that are wicked and cause harm.
5. Responding quickly to do those kinds of things.
6. Saying things that are not 100% true about someone else.
7. Stirring up family discord.




1. I am not God.
2. I am not to play loose with truth.
3. Lashing out at innocent people is not an option.
4. Forming plans that do not bring about healing and promote godliness are out.
5. Thinking them is wrong, doing them is worse.
6. Truth is absolute. And I don’t always know everything so zip it.
7. Family harmony is to be nurtured not destroyed.

　

There.

Now make your own lists, or you can use mine.

 And as Charlie Daniels says, let’s all make the day count. There’s enough darkness and evil in our world without us letting it creep into the behavior of our lives.

If I'd known I was going to live this long....

　
I wished happy birthday to an online friend and got his usual witty response. “If I’d known I was going to live this long I’d have taken better care of myself.”

It is hard to apply all the advice we hear as we grow up. I wonder today what advice my elders are giving me right now that I do not apply. Solomon sure devoted a lot of his teachings to learning and practicing wiser behavior.

“You don't want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones,
Saying, "Oh, why didn't I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life?
Why didn't I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously?  My life is ruined! I haven't one blessed thing to show for my life!" (Proverbs 5:11-14 The Message)
I am quite sure we all have regrets. Our enemy will use those as weapons against us. Having a regret does not equal to living with a load of guilty and shame, but it should definitely get out attention for the here and now, certainly for the future.

　

My oldest son once told me he wishes I had made him apply himself in school. (…then he laughed as I had a hissy fit in response.)

Like him, I wish I had better used some of my life. There are things I could and would have done better.

But that just shows that we realize our shortcomings, learned, and grown.

Today, perhaps you realize a regret too. Perhaps we can both purpose to start today to take better care….let’s not have regrets about today when we look back on this time.

Keep your eye on the ball.....

“My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;

they will be life for you..”(Proverbs 3:21 NIV)

It is baseball season, time to see and hear about everything from T-ball to the major leagues. When our sons played ball, over and over I heard it…. “watch the ball all the way over the plate.” “Keep your eye on the ball at all times, everyone ! Outfielders and infielders, the one at bat and the ones on the bench.”

　

The Message says it like this, “ Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.”

I remember that our boys didn’t always watch the ball. They got distracted by airplanes in the sky and bugs on the ground. They got caught up in horsing around with the other boys in the dugout. When they batted, it was difficult for their eye to follow a small object coming directly at them without shrinking away from it. But to succeed in the game, those things have to be learned and practiced.

Constantly, consistently, continually….

With practice, it got easier. But there were times of over confidence and fresh failure.

Even with my near 60 years, I take my eyes off the ball. I let wisdom and understanding get out of my sight, I don’t use good judgment and discretion. And death comes in the form of damaged relationships.

Being successful on a ball field takes concentrated practice.

Being wise in life requires concentration and practice.

Neither thing comes automatic without fail. Yes, it may come easier. Yes, it may become more consistent.

But sometimes, if you blink, you may swing and miss….