There is a children’s taunt that goes like this: ‘sticks and stones my break my bones but words will never hurt me.’ The person who came up with this did not know what he was talking about. One of the most powerful weapons in the world is a word spoken or written. Men have lived and died by a word spoken; hearts have been lifted by a word spoken. How powerful these are: ‘I love you or I hate you.’ One lifts us to heaven, while the other brings us down to hell. O, how powerful is a word? Consider the following scriptures:

Proverbs 15:23 “A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” Has not God, by his word lifted his children out of despair many times? Listen to His word.

Proverbs 25:11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakened morning by morning, he wakened mine ear to hear as the learned.”

Luke 7:7 “Wherefore neither thought me myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” There is healing for the broken-hearted in His word.

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Words reveal the state of a man’s heart.

Matthew 12:37 “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Our own words will either justify or condemn us. How powerful is that?

Ecclesiastes 12:10 “The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.” What responsibility is laid on us who preach the word? We are responsible to find right words to use in preaching the gospel. We are not at liberty to use words but acceptable words that are true to the word of God. We must never adulterate the word of God. Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

Yes, words do hurt more than sticks and stones and words do heal. Let us be as careful with our words was we would be with a loaded gun, for once shot it cannot be brought back. The damage is done. I leave you with this word: Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

- Pastor John Chapman

I had a co-worker many years ago who was a preacher in his church. He arrived at work one Monday morning and said, “Moose, I preached yesterday the strongest sermon I ever preached!” I inquired regarding the subject on which he had preached so strongly. He replied, “Against tobacco!” (I hasten to add that this “strong” sermon “against tobacco” was not preached in the First Church of the Self-Righteous in Holier-than-thou, Morality! Rather, it was preached in Surry County, North Carolina, close to Winston-Salem, the heart of tobacco country, and to many people whose very livelihood depended on that herb. I have no idea what he might have used for a text, unless it was Colossians 2:21. To the best of my knowledge, tobacco is never mentioned in Holy Scriptures, unless it be in Genesis 1:11. But I digress!) Have you noticed that in some circles “strong” sermons are generally “against” some earthly thing? O! That I may be blessed to preach “strong” sermons. But I pray my strong sermons declare “The Lord God Omnipotent reigns” (Isaiah 52:7 / Revelation 19:6). I want to preach strong sermons on “This One who is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength – ‘I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save’” (Isaiah 63:1). I want to preach strong sermons on “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25). I want to preach strong sermons on “Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude v.24). I want the strength of every sermon I preach to be Him who says, “Behold, I am Jehovah, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”