“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18)
I was in junior high at a party at a skating rink that had occasional “couples skates” where they would dim the lights and play romantic songs. You’d pair up and hold hands with a girl and skate around. Kind of like dancing for people who don’t dance.
I had a crush on this one girl, but I never had the nerve to ask her to skate. After it was over, she asked me why I didn’t skate with any girls. “No guts,” I admitted. She glanced at my belly and said, “Looks like you’ve got plenty of guts to me.”
Ouch.
Has anyone ever said something to you that caused what felt like physical pain? This proverbs says that words can split us open like a sword. For me, a hurtful comment can feel like open-heart surgery with a spork. What’s worse is that even though I’ve felt the pain of hurtful words, I’ve been the reckless slicer far too often.
Finally some good news, though: Wise people can use words to heal those verbal sword wounds. Wisdom is the key for turning words from weapons to bandages.
Think: Have you seen a wise person use words to help heal someone in pain? Who do you talk to when you feel like you’ve been sliced open by some reckless words?
Pray: Ask God for the wisdom to use your words to leave people feeling better instead of worse.
Do: Make a quick list of the top five wise word healers you know.