The Tongue预览

The Tongue

by

Rocky Fleming

Day Four: Words that Heal

I think it would be safe to say that many of you who are reading this have been hurt and even damaged by words from parents, classmates, employers, coaches, friends, spouses or some bully who was in your life. This wound continues to live with you even though it might be years since the wounds were inflicted. It might be good to know that there is a rule of thumb about things such as this, as we see a sorrowful cycle that perpetuates this damage. It goes like this: “Wounded people wound people.” 

Generally, a person who was hurt will hurt others, and most likely a family member is the victim. But this cycle can be changed if a man is convinced that there is great reason to do so and he is willing to help with the healing, even for his own healing. Since my heart and ministry is for Christian men, this is where I change my focus from generalities, and speak directly to the men who are reading this who are followers of Christ. So listen up: I am concerned that you might not realize how a previous wounding you have had can affect others—especially with your tongue. 

Therefore, I ask you to do a prayerful examination of your words and evaluate if any of them are born from your own wounds. These words from your wounds could be hurting people around you now, and they will likely be perpetuated through them to others. This is where you need to declare, “It ends now with me!”

Words are powerful. They can build up and they can tear down. But if they’ve torn down, they can also rebuild if the person speaking them is sincere and the healing words are not about manipulation. If they originate from your walk with Christ, then they will offer a soothing spiritual ointment to hurts that you’ve inflicted. I’ve heard many men try to dismiss themselves from their old life of inflicting pain on someone by saying that they are a new man in Christ and that was the old man who inflicted those hurts. 

But I believe Jesus would tell us that the “New Man” is a healer of the wounds of the “Old Man,” and He would tell us to play our part in the healing of a person we have hurt. I know this challenge will be difficult. But it will become a major blessing to many people, and especially yourself. This is a clear step in discipleship and in reflecting how much Christ has changed you.

Jesus made it clear that regret must be followed up with an action to make amends. It starts with our hearts, it flows into our words, it is lived out by bringing encouragement and healing to someone in need, and in healing others, we will find healing for ourselves.