Words
Knocked Flat
Piercing WORDS
The words that strike the very, very, soft spot
The spot you can’t just gloss over
the spot that has the permanent stain
No pink
No glitter
No Sparkle
No Crown
Just flat at the bottom of the pit
Arms crossed.
Head down.
Sad, Mad,
&
D.O.N.E.
Been there? Maybe not the way you would describe it, but I think we can all relate to a time where in the baseball game of life that one comment made us throw our baseball glove down, walk off the field, stick our bottom lip out and say I QUIT!
What we may have missed was Satan sitting in the stands with a big smile on his face cheering because he hit the bullseye. He hit us where it really hurts.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
It could be a complete stranger, but usually it is someone very close to me… someone who is not supposed to hurt my feelings. So, why does it hurt me so?? Words are very powerful, especially the ones that dance around those soft, tender spots that I guard with all of my might.
James 3:2-10 (ESV)
2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Wow!
Everyone stumbles with their speech… a great forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. No human being can tame the tongue. It is full of deadly poison. These things ought not to be so!
WORDS HURT:
Who have I sent reeling? When do my words cause someone else pain? I would not want to say something flippant, silly, or sarcastic that hits the bullseye of someone else’s very deep hurt. Also, if I see someone else “leaving the ballfield”, may I be quick to speak encouragement to them. How often do I intentionally speak to build up or encourage?
Ephesians 4:29 ESV Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
HUMBLE WINS:
I need God’s grace. I need Him to help with me my hurt and to heal those soft tender spots. I need Him to help me extend grace and forgiveness to others when I am offended. I need Him to help me be humble and to depend on Him completely. I need Him to help me with my words. Oh, I need HIM so.
James 4:6-10 (NIV) 6 But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
New song to add to my playlist:
WORDS by Hawk Nelson
Words can build you up
Words can break you down
Start a fire in your heart
Or put it out.
Let my words be life
Let my words be truth
I don’t want to say a word
Unless it points the world back to you.
