Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

This chapter, along with Proverbs as a whole, has a lot to say about the power of words. That’s appropriate, considering that the book is a collection of words intended to impart wisdom. This particular verse is a refutation of a secular proverb many English speakers learn as children: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Modern research, as well as personal experience, tell us that it can be far easier to heal from a broken bone than from hurtful words. This verse points out that such hurtful words might not even be deliberately malicious; they may just be careless or reckless. Jesus said that we will have to give an account for every unproductive word we speak. (Matthew 12:36-37) That should certainly make us careful what we say and how we say it! We live in an information age, which is all about words. They have never been more important, and they have never been more plentiful. With the Internet, words go around the world almost instantaneously, for good or for bad. There are countless tales of people who hit “reply all” to an email when they meant to reply to just the original sender, and of the havoc that produced. Someone has said, “Be careful that your words are sweet, because someday you may have to eat them.” That’s good advice! As this verse says, the tongue (and fingers) of the wise brings healing. We should focus on building others up with our words, even when they are words of correction.

This verse applies strongly and specifically to me, because I am a man of words. They have been my livelihood, as a teacher and pastor, for over half my life. As a teenager I used them as weapons, because I felt insecure in several ways, and I’m sure I wounded many. I have repented of that, but even today I wound unintentionally. In my position as a teacher and pastor, my words at times have weight beyond what I intend, either for good or for bad. On top of that, at times God speaks His words through me even when I’m not directly aware of it. A couple of years ago I met a Japanese pastor, whom I did not remember meeting before, who told me that about 20 years ago I had said something to him that changed the entire tenor of his ministry for the better. I certainly couldn’t take credit, because I didn’t even remember saying such a thing! I need to be aware that God wants to and does speak through me and so speak accordingly, without taking myself too seriously in the process. Like an electronic speaker, I am to be concerned with fidelity of reproduction, rather than originating the words myself. However, I do originate words, and those are the ones I will have to answer for. I need to be wise indeed, so that my words may heal rather than wound.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I will have an extended opportunity to speak weighty words today. Keep a check on my mouth, that I may not speak anything that is not of You. That’s often a problem for me, rattling on when You’ve stopped talking. Keep me from inserting any distortion, rather, faithfully transmitting what You are saying, for healing and encouragement indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!