Today's post is going to be a little different from what I usually do. Emma, a good friend of mine that I met through the Young Writer's Workshop, and I decided to do a blog swap. She will be posting my article on Tuesday and I encourage you to check out and subscribe to her blog!
‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.’
If you’re like me and you know what it’s like to have someone say something incredibly hurtful, so hurtful it left a lasting wound that took years to heal, then you also know that the famous proverb above is one of the worst, most inaccurate sayings ever. Whoever wrote this proverb didn’t understand human nature or the damage words can do at all.
Words are powerful. You know that. You’ve probably seen people crumple under rude and ungrateful words countless times, and you’ve probably seen people stand straighter and smile appreciatively when they hear kind and caring ones.
The Bible says we are to encourage one another and build each other up. As writers, that sets a responsibility on us. Writer, you are responsible for the words you write. In your pen you hold the power to destroy. And you hold the power, through the grace of God, to heal. You have the power to move people so profoundly with a story that they cry. You also have the power to make someone full of anger and disgust.
The pen is dangerous. In the book of James, James describes the tongue as, “set on fire by hell”. He also says, “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” - James 3:3-5 ESV.
You don’t only speak with your mouth. You speak with what you write as well.
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can cut deeper than a sword.
You have power in what you say and what you write.
What are you going to do with that power?
Also, I recently got a poem published by Kingdom Pen and would love if you took a minute to read it!
So true! Thanks Emma!
this was a really good post, Emma!
Thank you so much for posting this, Molly! I can't wait to post yours this Tuesday!!!😁