Text: Job 19:1-3; Proverbs 18:21
Memory Verse:“How long will you torment my soul, And break me in pieces with words?” (Job 19:2).
A proverb that is far from the truth says, “Sticks and stones may break my body but words will never hurt me.” It has been proven by psychologists that words said, heard, seen or read can create havoc in our brain and sickness in our body. They also say that when someone, who is in a relaxed state, hears a negative word, he tightens the muscles of his face, develops a pronounced frown and then gives in to fear or anxiety depending on the message to his neurons.
Proverbs 18:21 confirms the negative impact of unwholesome words. A life changing information springs from the words we hear. For example, the servant of Abraham worshipped God as a result of the words spoken to him by the parents of Rebecca. Our longevity depends on the people we live with or those we choose to hang around with. The wife of Job and his friends would have terminated his life had he listened to their counsel (Job 2:9).
When a pebble is thrown into a river, it causes ripples. Likewise, your words and advice affect those around you who, in turn, affect those around them, causing a ripple effect from one generation to another. Only God knows what Esau told his children about Jacob, his twin brother.
Your word can either be deadly or life- sustaining. You must, therefore, choose them carefully and thoughtfully. You can borrow life giving words from the Bible They must also give grace to the hearers (Ephesians 4:29). Be a son of encouragement.
Prayer Points:
1. Teach me to speak wholesome words to people, O Lord.
2. Help us to shun negative words, O Lord.