Have you heard the saying that, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words won’t harm me?
That statement is far from true.
Cuts and fractures from sticks and stones will be treated and healed, but wounds from wrong words may remain for the better part of one’s life.
Wrong words cut through and wound the soul.

Words are containers. They either carry death or life. And our words can either build up and embolden or tear down and weaken the human soul. Words have moods. They can create joy and security or sadness and fear. Words wield tremendous power, for good or for evil.
Proverbs 18:21 gives credence to this,

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].” (AMP)

The words we speak, either to ourselves or to others can kill or give life.
For instance, most emotional breakdowns are the result of wrong words that were said or good words that were not said.

For the sake of this post, I shall focus only on the effects of negative words.

Proverbs 12:18 gives us an insight into the destructive power of wrong words. It says,

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (NIV)

Little wonder, there are so many wounded and bleeding hearts today in the world around us. Courtesy of the sharp cutting and piercing of wrong words. Words rashly said or deliberately targeted to hurt and wound the heart.

The consequences of words on the human soul are immeasurable, for good or for evil. They leave behind their effects on the inmost parts of one’s being. And for many, this may persist for life.
For instance, a child who lives with endless criticisms grows into an adult whose heart is prone to always feeling condemned. One who lives with incessant ridicules becomes a shy person. Negative statements like, “You’re such a dummy, you can’t do anything right,” have the power to eat away at a child’s self-confidence. And this child may grow into an adult who never attempts at anything, for fear of failure and lack of faith in his own abilities. Some have had their self-worth butchered by those who spoke to them in ways that suggested that they were worthless. Their self-esteem is so low they have such difficulty in relating with other people.

Unfortunately, most children are exposed to more negative statements than to positive ones. A study shows that, in a home, an average child receives ten negative statements for every positive statement.
What this means is that, the ratio of destructive statements to good statements a child receives, say in a day is, 10:1.
What a ratio!

Another study showed that it would take at least four positive statements to erase the effect of one negative statement.
However, the sad part is that most people are more prone to internalize one destructive statement than four positive statements said to them. The result is a whole lot of grownups who are still struggling with the destructive effects of wrong words spoken to them in their developmental age.

For some, their souls were damaged, not by the non affirming statements that were said to them, but by those good words or affirming statements that were not said to them. They never heard statements like,
“I love you”
“You’re special”
“I am proud of you.”
“You’re such a blessing.”
All they ever heard were the things they did wrong. They grew up without affection, appreciation or encouragement. They are love deficit. Their souls are starved.

Such persons may become clowns, indulge in alcohol, drugs, sex, or even pursue success, as a defence or coverup for their insecurities.

How can these negative effects of wrong words be handled?

I shall take us into that tomorrow.

It’s my prayer that this piece brings you much help.

Much Love from me to you.