Bitter Words: A 7-Day Word FastSample

Swords, Knives, and Bitter Words

David was on the run for his life when he penned this contemplative prayer to God. While praying, he uses an analogy that likens bitter words that come out of our mouths to swords, knives, bows, and arrows.

If bitter words are like arrows, what could it mean for his enemies to shoot their arrows in secret? When someone shoots their arrow at another person in secret, they are doing it while in hiding rather than out in the open. In other words, they’re engaging in gossip.

When a person becomes a chatterbox or rumormonger, they talk about another person without that person’s knowledge. Most people hear the word gossip and begin to think about others who are guilty of this disease. But to engage in any conversation about another person without that person’s knowledge happens more often than we would like to admit. When was the last time you had a conversation about someone in private instead of having a conversation with that person?

David declares that both the inward thoughts and the heart of man are deep. He also states that those who use their tongues as swords and arrows, their tongues will be the cause of their ruin. Scripture declares, “A healed tongue is a tree of life, and perverseness in it – a breach in the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4, YLT). In other words, a healed tongue heals people, but a tongue used for the wrong purpose is the result of a broken spirit. A tongue that has not experienced healing can only hurt others because a wounded spirit will always produce wounded words.

Jesus says it best, “It’s not what goes into you that defiles you, but it’s the words that come from your mouth that defile you” (Matthew 15:11, NLT).

One who engages in gossip regularly must first seek healing. We are often negative because our spirit is wounded, our tongue needs to be delivered, or training our mouth has not been a priority. Paul challenged us to “Not allow any unwholesome word proceed from our mouths but only words that are good for edification and building people up” (Ephesians 4:29, NKJV).

Three conversations you need to avoid today:

1. Conversations you can’t repeat in the open.

2. Conversations that are not consistent with your destiny.

3. Conversations that are with people who are talking about other people to you.

Prayer: Father, as I reflect on my life and this fast, if I am guilty of gossiping, I repent. If any area of my heart needs to be healed, I give you access to it. Heal my heart. Heal my soul. Heal my tongue. Let no word come out of my mouth unsupervised. I am a vendor for edification and building people up. Let my words heal people, not hurt them. Amen.