“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” – Proverbs 18:21
Bible Verses About Words That Hurt
The Power of Words
As we walk our path of faith, it becomes crystal clear that our words hold great power. They can uplift, inspire, encourage, and heal. On the flip side, they can also tear down, discourage, and leave lasting scars. When we share our words, they carry the potential for life or death, depending on how we choose to use them. This concept is beautifully illustrated in the scripture, reminding us of the profound weight our words carry. As Christians, it is essential for us to remind ourselves to be mindful of our language, ensuring that the words we uphold bring true life and positivity to those around us.
Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” – Proverbs 18:21
James 3:10
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” – James 3:10
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” – Proverbs 12:18
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29
Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” – Colossians 4:6
Encouragement is a beautiful gift we can give one another through our words. When we realize the significance of what might seem like simple phrases, we can make it a point to uplift and inspire those around us. Words that encourage can create an atmosphere of support and love. As we express care or admiration, we become vessels for God’s grace to shine into each other’s lives. Let us be those who speak words that ignite hope, joy, and courage in the hearts of both friends and strangers alike.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Proverbs 31:26
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” – Proverbs 31:26
In our conversations, we should strive for honesty while also being compassionate and kind. Speaking the truth in love is essential as this embodies the character that God calls us to live out. It is all too easy to point out the flaws in others harshly, but when we center our motivations around God’s love, we can express truth that leads to correction and grace. This balance of truth and love exemplifies our witness to Christ, portraying how God engages us through both mercy and structure.
Ephesians 4:15
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” – Ephesians 4:15
Proverbs 27:5
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” – Proverbs 27:5
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
John 8:32
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32
Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” – Psalm 141:3
We all stumble and say things we regret. When our words hurt others, it is crucial for us to seek forgiveness, both from God and from those we’ve affected. The act of asking for forgiveness is a powerful way to mend broken relationships, allowing healing to take place. It also encourages a culture of grace within our communities, where everyone recognizes their imperfections and works toward restoration together. This reminder fosters understanding and love, helping us to grow collectively in our faith and friendship.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'” – Matthew 18:21-22
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
Our hearts and tongues are closely tied together, impacting how we interact with the world. Scripture explains that the words we speak reflect the conditions of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with love, joy, and compassion, our words will naturally reflect those feelings. Conversely, if we harbor bitterness, anger, and disdain, those emotions will often bubble to the surface in unkind speech. Therefore, let us take the time to guard our hearts and tongues so that we may be a source of hope and encouragement to others.
Matthew 12:34
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Matthew 12:34
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
Psalm 19:14
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14
Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” – Proverbs 21:23
James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit, and it helps us in the way we speak. When we practice self-control, it allows us to pause before responding, ensuring that our words are thoughtful rather than reactionary. When disagreements arise, or when we find ourselves in unfavorable situations, exercising self-control can lead to fruitful outcomes. Our attitude and language can lead to peace and understanding, rather than chaos and hurtful remarks. Let’s commit ourselves to exercising self-control in all our interactions, mindful of the impact our words can have.
Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Proverbs 29:11
James 1:26
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” – James 1:26
Proverbs 15:28
“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.” – Proverbs 15:28
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the power of our words, it is essential to remember that what we say matters deeply. It has the potential to either uplift or harm others. We are urged, through scripture, to engage in conversations filled with love, forgiveness, and encouragement. Our goal should always be to guard our tongues and hearts, becoming mindful of the impact our words can have.
Let’s commit ourselves to being builders, not destroyers. When we hurt others with our words, let us seek restoration and humbly ask for forgiveness. Remember that every word provides a chance to speak life and hope. Let’s be intentional about how we communicate and strive to only let those words that uplift flow from our lips.
As we walk this journey of faith, let’s embrace the wisdom found in God’s Word, which guides us toward kindness, love, and self-control in all our interactions. For those seeking more about handling hurtful words or dealing with unkindness, we encourage you to explore more topics and continue this journey of understanding together. Explore more here or discover how to deal with mean people.