The saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is dead wrong. Words do hurt.

As a child I was a victim of verbal abuse. Every ill word said to me by a loved one was like a stone thrown at my heart. It took me years and years as an adult to heal the wounds ill-spoken words caused.

Yet even though I personally know the damage words can do, I am far from perfect in my speech to others. I too have slung words that I could retrieve.

I reread the book of Proverbs recently and verse upon verse about the power of our words kept jumping off the page.

Our words are stones. We are nothing but stone-throwers with each word we speak.

If our words contain beauty, people treasure them.

If our words contain pain, people toss them aside–but not until after they have had to deal with the wound the words caused.

Like stones, we get to choose our words. Which ones will you choose?

 

10 Bible Verses On The Power Of Our Words

 

Proverbs 11:9 “Evil words destroy; Godly skill rebuilds.” (TLB)

 

Proverbs 11:12 “It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.” (NLT)

 

Proverbs 11:17 “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.” (TLB)

 

Proverbs 15: 1 “A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.” (GNT)

 

Proverbs 15:4 “Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.” (MSG)

 

Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.” (NIRV)

 

Proverbs 18:4 “A person’s words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream.” (GNT)

 

Proverbs 18:20 “Good words satisfy like a fine meal; yes, good conversations are sure to satisfy.” (VOICE)

 

Proverbs 20:15 “Wise words are more valuable than gold and many rubies.” (NLT)

 

Proverbs 25:18 “Telling lies about friends is like attacking them with clubs and swords and sharp arrows.” (CEV)