Sticks & Stones
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. (Mother said)
That’s not true! (you say) Words can hurt the feelings of others!
The tongue has the power of life and death…Prov 18:21 (NIV)
Yea, but my mother said, “Consider the source – is it someone you respect? If yes, then think about it, consider if it could be true. Ask that person to help you. But, if no, disregard it and get on with your life. In both cases, do not do the same to others.”
Mother always cautioned us, “Once the words come out of your mouth, you cannot take them back. You have to live with them forever.”
You have been trapped by what you said,ensnared by the words of your mouth. Prov 6:2 (NIV)
She explained that maybe my thoughtless words wouldn’t hurt the other person, but they make me an unkind person. “Then people won’t respect YOU! You’ll be just as bad as the person who spoke unkindly to you.”
Grandma always added the next step – forgive that person. Maybe he didn’t really mean it. Forgive him, because Jesus loves him, too! Then you keep your thoughts clean, so your words will be kind.
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [in behavior—one who manipulates].Prov 23:7 (AMP)
Pastor Robert Morris says “The words you speak can keep you in bondage” because you believe them. What the heart feels, the mouth will speak – whether it’s a lie or a truth. “What we believe as truth becomes true in our lives”. How you see yourself, leads to how The Enemy sees you.
Pastor Robert uses the example, “you’ll get cancer because it runs in your family” so you accept that you will get cancer. You say, “I’m just stupid”, but you’re not! You have the mind of Christ!
“Don’t believe the lies! That gives Satan a foothold…Satan will fabricate evidence. It doesn’t matter what has happened in your life…It matters what [The Bible] says.”
John Bevere writes, “Often when we are offended we see ourselves as victims and blame those who have hurt us. We justify our bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, envy, and resentment as they surface. Sometimes we even resent those who remind us of others who have hurt us…It is the revelation of truth that brings freedom to us.” The Bait of Satan, pgs 9-10
When Mom or Dad would discipline my brother, Jimmy, they would yell, “You’ll end up in jail for the rest of your life!” Grandma must have heard that – she always told him, “Jesus Loves You; if you do what He says – you’ll grow up right” Yes, he was an unruly boy, but he matured into a fine, well respected man. Thank you, Grandma!
There is so much anger in our world today – An angry, bitter, unforgiving voice yells, “You dis me!” America needs a renewal of our moral standards. This is the Country that God Built. Bring Him back!
6/9/20