A few weeks ago the message at the church we attended was about how what we say can affect others, and the scripture reference the pastor used was from James 3:1-12. The things we say can either delight and lift others up or destroy and crush their spirits. What a person says reflects how others will think of them — in a positive or negative light. What a person says will either bring joy or sadness to God’s heart. Gossip is one of the most hurtful things we can do, and so are words spewed forth in the heat of anger.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of gossip? You know how much it hurts to hear someone say something about you that isn’t true, or even something you’d rather not have others know.

Proverbs 16:24 reminds us: “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” With God’s help I want to speak kind, soothing words to my family and those I meet. What battles do you think you could win in the area of the tongue this week?