Whoever said “Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you” was wrong.
Words can leave scars deeper than knife wounds.
They can also bring euphoric joy.
Words can be deceptive or honest … overlooked or emphasized … obvious or between the lines … exclaimed or whispered … screamed or prayed.
As a writer, I love words. I write and delete them, remove and repeat them, stretch them and squeeze them.
But some words are in a category of their own—those that are God-breathed:
“All Scripture is inspired by God [God-breathed] and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We don't need to change any of the truths in God's Word. They're always relevant, always "up-to-date," always true and life-changing (Matthew 24:35; Hebrews 4:12).
Whoever wrote the words about sticks and stones didn't know what they were talking about, but God knows all things and speaks only truth!
Let's thank God today for His Word, and let's make sure that we handle it correctly! (2 Timothy 2:15).
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And speaking of words, take a few minutes to read 9 Tips for Leaving Kind Comments. I share some things I've learned from online comments.
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Bible Love Notes
So true, words will replay through your mind until you can control your mind through your heart allowing God to help you. Then you can move forward to the future. It won't stop the replay of words but it will slow them down and allow you to choose when to use them for your enhancement in your life. Very good blog.
ReplyDelete☺
DeleteCould not agree more and I think words hurt way more!
ReplyDeleteSticks and stones may break bones,
ReplyDeleteBut words break hearts and spirits.
Words have gteat power and we should think twice before we say anything.
ReplyDeleteI think everybody here is misinterpreting this bible phrase. Words have power but the power is differs and subjective between each individual. Some can be crushed by a simple insult, others can take a whole load of insults by an entire group of people, but a word it self has no objective power to harm your immediate health(both physical and mental) to the same degree that a Knife can. In the end words are subjective to your psyche and you always have a choice to take control off them. This is what this passage of scripture really means.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Jesus Christ said this himself.
Hi Uriel,
DeleteYou wrote: “I think everybody here is misinterpreting this bible phrase.”
I’m not sure I understand.
All of the comments have addressed the way words can bring good or harm, not a Bible passage.
The only passage of Scripture in this devotion is “All Scripture is inspired by God [God-breathed] and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The devotion uses this passage to say that God’s Words are above all human words.
You say that everybody has misinterpreted Scripture and you claim that you have accurately shared “what this passage of scripture really means” because “Jesus Christ said this himself.”
But nothing in your comment addresses that Scripture passage, so I’m a bit confused.
In addition, you say that no word "has objective power."
I don't believe anyone said that in their comment, and it's not written in the devotion.
I agree with you that people respond differently to insults and I agree that we need to learn to deal with rude people, but that isn’t the point of this devotion. The point is that words have power to bring good or harm, but no words can compare with the Word of God.