From the Pulpit...

Speech is a very good indicator one of one’s heart. You may not have opportunity to do as much bad as your heart would if it had such open doors. People probably speak more evil than they have done. That is because it is so easy to speak. The heart and mouth are only a few inches apart! So being judged by your speech is probably worse than you think. I believe this speech includes your thought-speech, not just that which you have uttered out loud. An old saying goes something like this: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words/names will never hurt me.” That statement has some value because it teaches us not to take what other people say too seriously. They do not know what they are talking about, or they are exceedingly mean in what they say and as such, there is little value in their words. Today, however, that statement has come under scrutiny because it is not true that words do not hurt. Words can start wars; words can do deep damage in a relationship. We can adapt the saying to highlight the meaning of this message: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but if you use evil words, they will hurt you.” Why? Because your words will be an evidence used in the courtroom of your future judgment. Indeed, “What you say can and will be used against you.”