Words Have Consequences
And the tongue is set among our members, staining the
whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and
has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a
restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and
with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same
mouth come blessing and cursing. -- James 3:6-10a
She was terrified of him, convinced deep inside that
he would kill her or hire someone to kill her. No amount of reassurance could
convince her otherwise.
She had baited the lion with harsh words and he had
risen up, his focus on destroying her and all those who cared for her.
Words get away from us sometimes. They cause more
havoc than we ever imagined. The consequences reverberate over and over, until
there is nothing left but anger and hatred. Pure evil stands watch over those
God has vowed to protect.
She had the locks on all her doors changed. She slept
with a baseball bat beside her bed. She lay awake at night, listening for the
slightest sound that might indicate an intruder. Fear was her constant
companion.
Yet, God tells us not to be afraid. He stands watch
over us. How hard it is to rest in that truth! Life deals us blows we could
never imagine and we cower behind what His word for a comfort that never seems
to completely satisfy.
Words are powerful and they can never, ever be unsaid.
They spew forth from hearts that are hard and angry, vicious and cruel. Words
make promises, whether they are ever intended to be kept or not. Words destroy
forever what could have been.
One of the hardest things I’ve ever done is forgive
someone who wasn’t sorry. That’s one of those Pinterest things that
periodically makes its way around Facebook. It’s true. But we forgive for
ourselves, not for those who damaged us with their words and actions. We
forgive so that we can go on without forever being consumed with brokenness.
Our words make us feel righteous and justified.
Neither is the case. Angry, hurtful words are just that. There is no love or kindness
that can cover what words have destroyed.
A sweet friend is trying desperately to rebuild her
marriage. Words, spoken in a moment, have created a wedge that no apology can
penetrate. Forgiveness is easy to say but harder to do. Impossible really
without God’s help.
Watch your words. They can never be unsaid. And,
sometimes, the consequences can never be undone.
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