Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Strength and Compassion”
Our Bible verse for today: “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “The words we use matter.”
The other day I read a statement which I thought was profoundly insightful regarding the power of words. “A single word of criticism possesses more emotional power than a thousand praises.”
If you stop for a moment to consider what you know to be true of human nature you will realize how accurate that statement is. Criticism lodges deeper in the heart than does praise. People tend to remember criticism longer, and it has more of an impact, than do praises. The average person needs at least ten words of praise and encouragement to overcome the effects of one word of criticism and even then, the criticism tends to linger.
That being the case it’s imperative that we choose our words carefully. What we say matters. Your words have the power to tear someone down or to lift them up, and how you choose to use your words reveals a lot about you.
Do you have the strength of character to be intentionally kind and compassionate with your words, to speak words of life rather than death, to build people up rather than tear them down? Don’t be too quick to answer that. The faults and idiosyncrasies of others can be annoying – even infuriating. It takes a strong and mature Christian to look past or to even ignore a person’s flaws, to refrain from commenting on them altogether, and to focus instead on affirming that person’s value and praising their attributes.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to find fault in others and to make unkind or derogatory remarks about their shortcomings. It does take effort, and spiritual maturity, to intentionally find things to praise them for. Your ability to do that is a measure of your own strength and compassion.
The words you use matter – and they reveal something about you. I encourage you to speak well of people and to speak well to people. Your words have the power to bless or to curse. Speak words of blessing to people today.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 