He never saw it happening. Over and over, he simply told his players he loved them and thought they could do it. He knew them, knew what their hurts and fears were, knew how to really get to them with what he said. And he used his words accordingly, building them up, healing them without them even knowing it.
He also never saw it happening. Over and over, he simply told his players how awful he thought they were; they thought he hated them. He knew them, knew what their hurts and fears were, knew how to really get to them with what he said. And he used his words accordingly, tearing them down, hurting them with every cutting word.
Proverbs 15:4–“The tongue that heals is a tree of life, but a devious tongue breaks the spirit.”
Today, you and I are going to be one of the two guys mentioned above. The outcomes are nearly a sure thing…this verse and simply life experience shows us that. We have a choice to make. Our words can heal or break the spirit of those around us.
I’m convinced that God wants to use his people–the followers of Jesus–to bring healing to the world around them. He wants to use his people to be salt and light in a decaying and dark world. He wants to use our words to build up and not tear down.
Left to ourselves and our own impulses, we will tear down. We all know that. The power of God’s Holy Spirit is our only hope to control and channel our words toward a healing end.
Consider today the lives of your players, coaches, teammates, friends, or parents. I don’t believe it’s a stretch to say that every word proceeding from our mouths has the power to heal or destroy those people.
By the power of God’s Spirit, let’s be trees of life.
Lord Jesus, you and you alone can help me in this area. I give you my words. Change my heart so that my words bring life and healing to those who hear them. Amen.
