Growing up, were you ever told, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all?" I remember being taught this when I was pretty young. Our words matter and if we can't say something nice, it's better not to say anything. In today's world, especially with social media, it seems that a lot of people have forgotten this message or maybe were never taught it to begin with. Another childhood saying was "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Unfortunately, this saying is not true either. Words can cause lasting damage that is very difficult to overcome.
We need to be mindful when we are speaking that our words are used to encourage and uplift one another and not used to destroy each other. There is a scripture verse that I have been meditating on this week and it is listed below. It states that our conversation needs to be seasoned with salt, but also full of grace so that we know how to answer each person.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6 KJV
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 NIV
Think about what this verse is saying. This means we can be kind to one another even if that is only on social media or texting or in person. We really need to think about how our words make a difference in peoples lives. There is a word in the Bible that is Edifying. I looked up this definition recently and it means to uplift one another, or to correct with grace. It does not mean to tear each other down or to put someone down so you feel better about yourself.
The Golden Rule we are taught as little ones is "To treat others as we want to be treated ourselves." When did we stop teaching this rule to the next generation? A lot of the younger people in todays society has an "it's all about me" mentality and that is not what God expects from us. God expects us to show grace to one another. To correct each other in love when it is necessary, but not to tear each other down.
This week, I challenge you to think about your words that you are using whether in person on the phone or on social media. Are they uplifting and helpful or are they hurtful and tearing others down? How can we get our point across without hurting other people? That is my challenge to you today. Let's change the world, one person at a time using our words to uplift and encourage.
absolutely right
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