I don’t think there is anything that holds more power than the words we speak with our lips. That old saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is definitely false. We probably realized this in the 2nd grade when Becky said something mean like "the color purple is ugly", and we think, “Yeah, that actually did hurt, Becky. I love purple.”

Except when we get older, the words are much more powerful than insulting someone’s favorite color. The new words involve profanity, discrimination, personal attacks, gossip, and any other hurtful thing out there. We like to pretend it doesn’t get to us, and tell ourselves that we are in charge of our own feelings. Which is true, but it’s okay to feel the sting of a hurtful word or a crude comment thrown your way. Words can float around in our minds for years, whether we want them to or not.

The problem is that either someone truly wants to be mean, or, someone doesn’t actually think anyone is listening and therefore doesn’t pay attention to what they’re saying. We’ve all been guilty of both, because we forget. We forget that words hold power.

God spoke the world into existence, He spoke life into all creation. Jesus’ words are written in the color red, and some of the most powerful words are written by fishermen, businessmen, and prisoners. We are all children of God, and we all have power within us because of that. We can either use it for good, or use it to tear down our brothers and sisters.

When a friend makes a mistake, you have two options. You can either scold them and tell them all the things they did wrong, which I am sure they are already aware of, or you can encourage them and show them forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional love. The choice is yours, but don’t forget that either way, those words are powerful.

People remember the words that you speak and write. Those words are heard and seen by more people than you realize, and they impact people more than you know. But again, the choice is yours. Would you rather be remembered for being a light? Or for being someone who only spouts profanity and blasphemy? Someone who brags and boasts? Or somone who is negative or tears others down?

Choose to be the light.

Choose to only speak words of encouragement and love.

Choose to be positive and bright in a world of darkness.

Choose to be humble and don’t brag and let recognition come when it’s deserved.

Choose to lift others up, not tear them down.

Choose your words wisely, because they are powerful.

You never know who is listening.