Sticks and Stones
By Rory C. Keel

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me?” Sure you have, and you probably heard it the same time every one else heard it – After you were hurt by someone’s words.

You see, this saying isn’t true! We only use it to try and sooth the pain and hurt that already exists.

Did you ever tell a lie or say hurtful things about someone else, then when they’re clearly in pain you tried to “Fix it” by saying, “I was just kidding!” or “I really didn’t mean it!” –It’s too late, your words hurt them.

The Bible says that words can be as hurtful as throwing a flammable substance on someone to burn them, or as deadly as shooting them. The Bible describes it this way, “As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?” Proverbs 26:18-19

The word of God teaches, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29

When you open your mouth to speak, you are the deliverer of words that can deliver pain and suffering or words that can build someone up!

Don’t speak like the Devil!

by Rory C. Keel



It seems too easy to hurt the people closest to us, the people we love the most. Many times we only realize this when we see the tears of pain falling from their eyes because of hurtful words. A lifetime of friendship are often severed for years, and relationships destroyed simply by speaking evil about them.

God has always taken speaking evil against brethren seriously. His anger grew hot against Aaron and Miriam when they were not “afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Num. 12:8

The Evangelist Timothy received instruction not to even accept a charge against an Elder “but before two or three witnesses.” 1 Tim. 5:19

So serious is it for brethren to speak against another that when we do, we dethrone the Lord and lift ourselves into His place presuming judgment upon others. “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.” James 4:11

When you speak evil against one of your brethren, you are speaking like the devil. “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Rev. 12:10

Don’t speak like the Devil. Consider what the Lord did, when the Devil stood before him and accused YOU!