No, don't say it!

I had this English teacher last year, Mrs. Warrington. So my good friend, Megan, and I were walking to class when Mrs. Warrington happened to walk past us.  She stopped and asked how we were and all that usual small talk, when Megan says, "I really miss your lessons ma'am!". Obviously I needed to show appreciation as well, as per normal human behavior, so I said the first thing that came to mind: "Oh yes and I really miss your creepiness!"

Words.

Words are powerful and I don't think we comprehend how powerful they really are. You know that saying 'Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me'? I think that is such a lie! Words hurt. A LOT. Often words hurt more than just a simple punch to the face, because the pain lasts longer. Look at cyber bullying for example- those words on social media hurt the bullied person for a long time. 

I know that personally, words often stick with me, even if they weren't meant to hurt me. That's how else words are powerful- often we use them without considering the repercussions. I mean I didn't intend to offend my teacher by saying she was creepy, I just hadn't chosen my words correctly, but saying something like that can hurt (my teacher luckily laughed though!) 

Proverbs 18:21 says it beautifully, " Death and life are in the power of the tongue.." 

How many people have committed suicide because of verbal bullying? How many people have become depressed because of what people have said to them? Have you ever not done something because you're scared of what people will say?

Words can bring death, if not physically, then definitely emotionally. Please understand that it may seem "cool" to badmouth someone, but it really hurts. Matthew 7:12 urges us to do to others what we would want them do to us. So if you don't like it when people say nasty things to you, why do you do it to others? 

I've noticed women do this a lot, and I will admit it, I am a part of this gang of gossipers. If my friends make a remark about a certain teacher wearing very high pants that make it look as if that teacher has quite a bad constant wedgie, I suddenly want to remark and laugh too. Yoh, but afterwards I feel SO bad. I mean if you want to wear high wedgie pants, that is your basic human right! :D (#PositiveWords)

On the other hand, words can bring life. Now I love this! It is so true. You know that feeling when you're in some race and you feel like you're about to die; the sweat is pouring out of every nook and cranny and your lungs feel like they're about to explode, but then suddenly, you hear that "Come on *name*, you CAN do it!" Now you've got that boost to finish. 

Words are powerful, but they can be powerfully beautiful. Imagine that if every single time you thought to say something bad about someone, you said something good instead. You know, next time you see a taxi try to pull in front  of you, instead of trying to use some very colorful words to describe him, maybe say something good instead, like: "Oh yay, now at least his passengers will get there sooner." Yes, it may sound lame, but it will make you feel much calmer. 

Ephesians 4:29 says, "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."

The way we talk should portray grace, and thus God as He is full of grace. Our words should build up others and motivate them, not demotivated them. Constantly throughout His Word, God tells us to love, and part of this love can be shown through what you say. If you tell someone they're fat and smelly, is that being loving? Err I don't think so... If someone said that to me, I'd probably slap them in the face!:/ (Or I'd try but then my clumsiness would kick in and I'd land up slapping  myself...)

Although words should build up, remember the verse also says "as fits the occasion". If you're In a situation like Paul was and you're on trial for God, trying to build up the judge won't help you much. I don't think the judge would appreciate you saying things like, "Ah well done! You made a verdict! I'm so proud, that's awesome! Congrats, man." We have to be strategic with our words. Although we should not downgrade others, we should also speak boldly . Just look at some of the things Jesus said! He was super bold, but never mean.

One last verse I thought was quite good is Matthew 12:37, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

To be honest that scares me a bit. It just shows how careful we have to be. Verse 36 warns us that we will have to "give account for every careless word" we speak. Just because it's funny to say something now doesn't mean that it's suddenly going to disappear. We will have to answer for every single word we speak one day. 

Imagine on Judgement Day, God holds two papers out to you: one with all the good, Godly things you've said, and one with all the nasty, sinful things you said. Wouldn't you want the Godly list to be longer than the nasty one? But often that isn't the case. Let's be honest, being nasty is often so much easier than being nice. This is why saying nice things takes a courageous person to do. Complimenting people, encouraging others, being nice to those who aren't nice to you, all of these take a serious amount of courage that not just anyone posseses. However, with God's help, anything is possible (Luke 1:37). As the saying goes, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. 

Therefore I challenge you this week with what I mentioned earlier: every single time you want to say something mean, say something nice instead. It won't be easy, you're going to have to be brave, but trust me, you'll be so much happier for it! Let's start changing this world, one step at a time <3 

P.S. Just some final wisdom: If you ever see a teacher who taught you previously in life, rather just say she/he was a good teacher or something like that, rather be safe than sorry! ;)