Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wicked kill; the speech of the upright saves.

This past weekend at the conference I bought a t-shirt (that I couldn't really afford - but hey - that's never stopped me before!). Anyways, this verse is written on the back of it - in Chinese. Ooh, special. I figured I should probably make it a point to know what I'm advertising, so I looked it up. (What a novel concept!)

"The words of the wicked kill. . . . ." Destructive words come easily to me - too easily in fact. It's always so much easier to criticize and belittle someone than it is to build them up. Why do I opt for cruelty? Even though those wicked words may never pass through my lips, they're still there. When my pride gets in the way I may never actually speak harshly, but the meaning is fully implied in the way I dismiss people, ignore or choose not to validate them. For me, that's the worst of all. When my heart is corrupt and I'm able to hide it; I lie to myself.

"The speech of the upright saves. . . . ." How often is a word of encouragement the only thing that keeps someone from going over the edge? How often do I choose to keep it sealed behind closed lips? Christ never spoke empty words - there was an underlying theme of love in every breath he took. Even as he blasted the money-changers in the temple and unleashed his holy rage it was all completely out of love. My rage is often unholy; it's more of an unleashing of demons for me! So, as I wear my faith on my sleeve, literally and figuratively, I am challenged to "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."
2 Timothy 2:22-23