Sticks and Stones

By Bishop Vashti McKenzie


What can a tiny human muscle weighing only two ounces and measuring four inches long do? It may come in a small package, but it can pack a powerful punch. This muscle is the tongue. It has the power to help, hurt, harm and heal.

While shopping at the market after a very long and tiring day, I stood in a long checkout line anxious to get past this errand to a good hot meal and a good book. In front of me was a mother with several children who seemed equally anxious to get on with the evening. The youngest was trying to convince her mother to buy something else such as candy, gum, mints or chocolate. The two children of reading age were emptying the magazine racks flipping through one after another. The one old enough to be wired was connected to music from his portable mp3 player.

One of the young hopefuls held up a magazine to show their mother an outfit they’d loved to have with the shoes, haircut and make-up to match. The mother simply lashed out at her young daughter, “You’re not old enough! All these magazines do is fill your head with fancy ideas. You’re not pretty enough for that kind of stuff. Just put the magazine back.”

The young girl was crushed. Tears welled up in her eyes as her younger siblings laughed at her. The tongue has the power to hurt.

At the same time at the next check out counter, a mother struggled with a busy toddler sitting in the shopping cart with another child insisting on counting every item she put on the conveyor belt.

“You’re smart little boy,” she said. “You can count all the way to 25!” The little boy beamed and continued to count. The tongue can help.

In the first instance, a child’s feelings were crushed and in the second instance, a child’s self esteem was enhanced. Surely the little boy will strive to achieve and receive more compliments from his mother. The other young girl heard, perhaps not for the first time, she’s not pretty, crushing her self-image.

Remember that chant we used to say when growing up – stick and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me? Guess what? Sticks, stones and words can hurt. Words can be worse than a broken bone. The writer of Proverbs doesn’t mention sticks or stones. The writer simply says that reckless words can pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12: 18)

James writes that the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3: 5) The tongue can set off a blaze that can burn through families and friendships.

Words spoken by a tired parent can build up or tear down a child’s self esteem. Words spoken by an angry supervisor can kill a co-worker’s motivation. A tongue lashing temper tantrum can cause the death of a relationship. Words used as a weapon to humiliate, mock, taunt, tease, snub, backbite, humiliate, curse or lie can ruin a marriage or a career.

If your tongue is out of control, confess your sin and God will be faithful to forgive you of your sin. Apologize immediately when ungodly things slip through your lips. Pray by asking God to help you control the words that come out of your mouth. Pray AND think before you speak!

Remember that life and death are in your mouth. Speak life!


Scripture Of The Day: “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” - Proverbs 12:18