GRIEVOUS WORDS

 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger – Proverbs 15:1.”

Words are powerful and those who are wise in using them have known what it means to say

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones – Pro. 16:24.”

The application of word goes a long way to settle or unsettle, mar or make the life of any man. And come to think of it, by THE WORD, God created and made all things. Do you now think such Word is to be trivialized or taken for granted? Think not so. Therefore, we are to consider the use of our words henceforth. There are some examples we shall consider both applicable to God and unto men.

First, we shall consider the use of grievous words unto God. There was a man called Cain who killed his brother but before then he first hated his blood brother. You see, God knows the thought of all men even before those thoughts become words and words turn into actions. As for Cain, it was first in his thought. And the Lord recognizes the thought from afar –

“…thou understandest my thought afar off – Ps. 139:2.”

Think upon this, the Lord who knows the thought of a man from afar, will He not know or hear the words of man. Nevertheless, after Cain killed Abel, and God enquired from him, what was his response? His response was his undoing. He said,

“…I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? – Gen. 4:9.”

For this grievous answer, the curse of the Lord rested upon Cain – “And now art thou cursed from the earth… - Gen. 9:11.” Take heed my dear Sir. Many a man brought curses upon themselves due to their manner of approach in words and responses. However, when he used the soft answer -

"And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. ehold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me - Gen. 4:13-15"

, God had mercy on him -

"And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him - Gen. 4:15."

Now, let's consider its applicability to men. There was a man called Nabal to whom David and his men showed kindness and generosity to protect his sheep and men. When it was heard that this man was shearing his sheep, David sent a goodwill message to him for provision. Please, before we proceed, in any situation you may find yourself, even if you do not have proper approach or reaction to it, let not your words betray you. Words are powerful, I repeat. When the messengers delivered the message to Nabal, his response was that which dried the bone. He said –

“Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? – 1Sam. 25:10-11.”

I know you must have had your share of responses like this having shown kindness to a stranger, friends or even brothers within the fellowship. When David heard this, his anger was kindled. Indeed, grievous words stir up wrath. Had not God intervened, the household of Nabal would have been destroyed the same day.

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon was one example to consider too. He took counsel from his peers forsaking that of the elders who had lived in the days of his father. The grievous answer he gave to the people of Israel brought about the division of his kingdom. Many businesses are collapsing and folding up not because of lack of capital or business planning. One way this is happening too often and fast is by the inappropriate use of words. No wonder there is a department called customer relations or customer care services. Mr. Man, mind those people you put in that section.

Hannah would have lost her blessing the same day Eli unknowingly questioned her. If he had been like one of daughters of the belial in her words, her Samuel would not have come. Oh man of God, be careful. God is not your mate. He deserves to be honoured even in words too. Let yours not be like Eli who said –

“…It is the LORD: let Him do what seemeth Him good – 1Sam. 3:18.”

This is time to come to Jesus for teaching on the use of words. How did He do it when reviled, mocked and despised yet He said nothing and He sinned not? Like a sheep, He opened not His mouth. From Him, we can master what it means to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath. To believe and speak that there is no God is worse. Even a fool will not say so with his mouth. He would only say it in his heart – Ps. 14:1. For you to say it with your mouth, a fool is better off. Mind your words, please. I beseech you because Jesus said –

“...every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned – Mat. 12:36-37.”

And you know, Jesus is not a liar. He is not. Sincerely, He is not; He is not a liar. He means what He says and He says what He means. By word, we shall either be justified or condemned. But most definitely, grievous words bring the latter. When He said condemnation, He meant it.

RESPONSIBLE GREETINGS

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