(Editor's Note: Today's Guest Writer is Parker Kathleen May.)

Whenever my family travels to the beach, my brother and I always watch the Looney Tunes' movie Tweety’s High-Flying Adventure. The plot of the movie has Tweety flying around the world in 80 days to help Granny raise money for a children’s park. While Tweety is in Egypt, he meets the Great Sphinx of Giza and comments on her nose. The Sphinx replies, “Sticks and stones may break my nose, but words will never hurt me.”

It is a funny rendition of the phrase, but I cannot help but think of the meaning behind it. Whoever thought of “Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” clearly did not have many conversations. I understand the sentiment of the phrase is to not let what others say get to you, but sometimes that is a very hard thing to do. Words hold a certain weight. This generation needs to realize what words can do and the effect that they hold.

Words are powerful

Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21 KJV).

We often speak freely as if words have no meaning. Some people think that it is an overstatement to say that words can carry life or death, but the Bible does not shy away from placing this amount of weight on words. With a word, God spoke the universe into existence, and with a word, He declared that He would destroy the earth with a flood. With a word, a jury can acquit the defendant or give them the death penalty. We need to gain some respect for the words we say and remember their importance before we cause irreversible damage.

Words are crucial

A soft answer turneth away wrath:
but grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1 KJV).

What we say can turn the tide of a situation. Do you think that leaders in a critical negotiation use their words idly? Whenever a police show features a hostage situation, how the negotiator responds will affect how the criminal will react. Responding to someone in a bad mood with just as much anger or bitterness will only serve to make the situation worse but calmly talking to them will help lessen their irritation. We need to understand that our words can change the outcome of a situation for the better if we use our words wisely.

Words are lasting

But I say unto you, That 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 the words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV).

In today’s world, people just spout off words with no regard for what they are saying. Sometimes it can be complete nonsense that doesn’t matter, but other times, it can strike a chord whether they’re aware or not. A joke that was meant to be funny could have deeply offended someone. Even though it might not mean something to us, it means something to others. According to the verse above, every word we say, whether with ill intentions or not, will be judged.

Words can hurt

There is that speaketh like the piercing of a sword (Proverbs 12:18a KJV).

There is no doubt that words can hurt, especially if it is said by someone that we’re close to. Everyone has had either an insult or slander thrown at them before or had a nasty rumor spread around about them. Words can hurt, and they can hurt deeply. There are multiple verses throughout the Old and New Testament that warn us about lying, gossiping, cursing, and being around those who participate in those actions. Words like these can destroy a person’s self-esteem and reputation and can hurt them so badly that they can cause lasting damage.

Words can help

Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones (Proverbs 16:24 KJV).

Just as words can hurt people, they can also have the opposite effect. After having a bad day, it is nice to hear something good and uplifting than cruel and uncaring. Most of the world is filled with negativity that causes people to have a void of goodness. Just giving someone an uplifting word could make their whole day because people enjoy being complimented or told that they are doing a good job. It is proven that happiness helps with health, so giving out kind words helps prove Proverbs 16:24 correct.

Words can reflect

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man (Matthew 15:18 KJV).

One way to know a person’s true character is by the way they talk. It is said that what we speak about what we think about, and what we think about are things that we allow ourselves to be surrounded by. Someone might dress up in nice attire, but if they talk about disgusting hurtful things, then you see who they truly are behind the mask they put up. People need to be careful with what they say because it can affect how they are represented.

Your tongue can be a tool for godliness or a tool for destruction. How will you use your words today?