Watch Out!
Some we can see, and some we can’t.
Most of us cruise through life today carrying a sword of our own.
Swinging it around in crowded rooms every day.
What?????
We all know that back in the Bible days they used swords.
David and Saul – they carried them. They were tools in their society.
However, these two guys used their swords differently.
Sword Wielders
Saul threw his at David, a man he loved and worked with… his beloved and trusted friend. He hunted for David with his sword, hoping for the opportunity to run him through.
Saul, the very guy that was throwing swords at his friends, died by the sword. His own sword! He ran himself upon it while he made a servant hold it. He was hurting so bad from being cut by someone else’s sword that he wanted to die.
Words as Swords
We all carry swords today as they did in Bible days – including you. However, the swords are not as visible. Our words and actions act as swords and how close we are to the sword directly impacts the risk of injury.
From far away comments and remarks look a little scary, but do not hurt us. Comments by strangers, people at the mall, a drive by road rage person.
Our acquaintances can scratch us with their words and actions. We don’t die from scratches. But even sometimes a cut requires professional attention – maybe some stitches.
There is also the possibility of infection if the scratches are not cared for correctly. By not caring for our wounds correctly, we can injure ourselves more than the original injury.
The closer someone is to us, the greater their ability to injure us, even unintentionally. The privilege of holding the sword within close proximity to someone brings with it great responsibility.
There is a much greater potential for accidental injury and the injuries that do happen are of greater severity. They take longer to heal and the scars are more obvious.
Take Action
As we walk through life today, let’s be conscious how the words of our mouth, our email, our text, our facebook and our conversations can cut others. It is so easy to wield our words without thinking that they are sharp.
When was the last time you forgot that your words had the ability to injure? When was the last time that words injured you and the one who spoke them didn’t even know?
Let’s all sheath our swords and save money on the bandaids.
This is all too true. I love your words Pastor Nicole and would love to share them with others in my world. You are a wonderful woman of God!!
Thank you for sharing! I really needed this…so many times I’ll say something and mean no harm but some how It’s taking the wrong way!
I just watched the Faith Church STL 2011 Women’s conference yesterday and LOVED your use of the sword. Due to a history in male-dominated fields where I am not taken seriously, I tend to have a preference to be taken seriously, and seeing you up there representing women looking all “She-Ra”-like was very cool. To be thought of as beautiful, strong, fierce, yet loving, compassionate and kind are good goals… I think you represent that, thanks for being a role model. You’re awesome! However I also agree that we as women don’t recognize the swords we wield through our words and we abuse this weapon. God blessed us with the ability to build up, to share wisdom, for we “who know the Divine, to offer Divine perspective (as opposed to opinion)”… yet few of us embrace this role and we just spout off, not taking the effect we have on ALL that we influence very seriously. You’re spot on, Pastor! Thank you!
Shannon – I’m so glad you enjoyed the conference dvd! Next year I hope that you can join us. I have another message on swords too. I’m a chic that digs weapons I guess – who knew!