CBC Update
Dear Friends,
Whoever said, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” clearly never felt the sting of a harsh comment, or spiteful, judgmental, or damaging words.
While broken bones and bruises heal over time, the scars and pain inflicted by the words of others may never heal. Yet sometimes, positive words from others are all we have to hang on to.
I left high school before the start of Year 10 to start a job on the railway. While the principal and most teachers thought that was a decent idea, there was one teacher who tried to encourage me to stay. I still remember her words, “Ian, you are bright enough to go to university; stay and finish your HSC.”
Ten years later, when God called me into ministry and to study Theology, it was the words of my history teacher that gave me the courage to commence a Bachelor’s degree. The words we say, the words we use – they truly matter.
The Bible has plenty to say about the power of our speech. Proverbs 18:21 states plainly: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” James reminds us of the tongue’s dual nature, highlighting our all too often inconsistency: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:9-10).
Most importantly, Jesus reminds us that “the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart” (Matthew 15:18). If we struggle with our words, Jesus says, we need to look at the condition of our hearts.
While we cannot control what others say, we do get to choose who we listen to and what words we hold on to. Like the words from my history teacher all those years ago, I choose to hold onto the words of Jesus and the encouraging truths I find in God’s word.
- “I am deeply loved” (John 3:16)
- “I can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13)
- “I am never alone” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
So, how are your words travelling? Do they reflect the condition of your heart? What encouraging words from the Bible are you holding on to this week?
Have a great week.
Pastor Ian