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“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”

Matthew 5:21–22, ESV

Our words matter. Most importantly, they matter to God. The old childhood rhyme, “Sticks and Stones,” is not true. Words can do greater harm to the soul than any stick or stone. To speak the truth in love is the most powerful tool for change, but to lie and speak untruths, or to tear down with words, is truly damaging to the soul. Our Lord reminds us to be mindful of our words, but we all can become careless at times.  When we do so, we can come to our Lord for forgiveness and ask for forgiveness from the person we hurt. To hold anger against another person or lash out with diatribes of vitriol and hate not only cuts the other but burrows deep within our soul, pushing away God and pushing the person from whom the words come deeper and deeper into darkness. Let our words be a salve to the wounded soul and a light into darkness that seeks to lead others into Christ’s peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.