Words that Hurt

We must be very careful how we speak to people that we are ministering to. Even if we believe that we are speaking truth, we must be especially concerned about how it is received by the listener. If in our self-righteousness we believe that telling the truth is all that matters, we risk hurting God's people. If we walk in false humility believing that we are doing good no matter what effect it has on people, we are not doing the will of the father and we will be held accountable.

The Bible says, in Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And, the Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:13. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. He instructed, 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

We must be very careful how we speak to people that we are ministering to. Even if we believe that we are speaking truth, we must be mindful about how it is received by the listener. If in our self-righteousness we believe that telling the truth is all that matters, no matter what effect it has on people, we risk hurting God’s people. [Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42] and we are not doing the will of the father.  Furthermore, the Lord says that it would be  God’s lambs are precious to him. He says, “Do not touch My anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.” [Psalm 105:15; 1 Chronicle 16:22].

Every word we speak plants a seed. Our words create and shape the world around us. The Bible says, Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. So those who love to talk must remember that they are accountable for EVERY word and its effect on those who hear it.

In Ephesians 4:2, we are instructed to minister with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love… This means that we must put ourselves aside, and have patience for one another.

The word of God will convict people who have a desire to be changed by the Holy Spirit. The desire for a person to want a more intimate relationship with God is brought on by a number of different variables. It could be longsuffering that brings them to Christ (broken, defeated with nowhere else to go). It could be the result of sickness or disease that makes one cry out to God for a miracle, and it could be the Jesus in us that makes them desire the love and joy that we have within us, or they just have questions about the meaning of life and what God expects from them. We, as disciples of Christ, win them with our love, not condemnation. We must examine our motives, and ask God to purify our hearts so that we can allow the Holy Spirit to minister through us, as opposed to judging, and giving our personal opinions.

1 Timothy 1:5  Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

c 2008 Arletia McInnis, The Prophetic Scribe.

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Arletia Mayfield is an ordained minister and the founder of The Prophetic Scribe Ministries & Publications. She offers courses and resources to help Christian writers and artists use their gifts in ministry. Arletia expresses her faith creatively through books, poetry, storytelling, skits, and worship with flags.