Start this devotional by reading Job 18 and 19.

Job 19:2 says "How long will you torment me and crush me with words?" This was the beginning of a breakdown that Job had after Bildad the Shuhite attacked him with harsh words. After reminding Job of all the horrible things that had happened to him and his household, Bildad said in Job 18:21 "Surely such is the dwelling of an evil man; such is the place of one who knows not God." Bildad's Slander broke Job down more and more with each sentence. As you can imagine, Job probably began to wonder why God would do those awful things to him.

I believe strongly that other's words have a great influence on our personalities and our actions. If one is told everyday that they are worthless, they will begin to find worthlessness in their actions. If one is told they are beautiful, they will most likely become narcissistic. Remember that words can hurt, more-so than any physical torture. I believe that words can be the greatest weapon we have.

Words aren't always bad though. There are also words that build people up. Not only are your words the greatest weapon, but also the greatest balm. Your words can put someone who is troubled to ease. Your words could bring someone closer to God. Your words could influence someone's lifestyle for the better. God has given us this choice; the choice to speak words of healing or speak words of slander. What will you choose?

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Our words to one another can be either constructive or destructive. They either build up, or tear down. Some words we share are just information, just the facts, with no real impact on the person to whom we're speaking, but I believe those exceptions are rare. From my experience, almost anytime we talk with someone is at least an opportunity to be encouraging (or discouraging).

A lot of how we speak to others is a result of how we view and respond to situations in our own life. When we choose to see life as a series of valuable lessons and learning experiences, almost every situation can be viewed with a positive perspective. But if we try to evaluate the situations around us considering only if this time has been "fun" or "happy" or "beneficial" to us and us alone, then we can become very disappointed and look down on our situation. In these times, we often try to bring others down to our level so that they can dwell in our misery and keep us company.

Proverbs encourages us to speak words of encouragement to others, and warns us against speaking badly of others:
The mouth of the one who is right with God is a well of life... (Proverbs 10:11a)
... he who is careful what he says is wise. The tongue of those who are right with God is like fine silver... (Proverbs 10:19b-20a)
The lips of those who are right with God speak what is pleasing to others, but the mouth of the sinful speaks only what is bad. (Proverbs 10:32)

I know that on many occasions, I have hurt someone else because of something I said or the way I said it. And my attitude comes across in the way I talk to others, regardless of the words I choose.

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I have often heard that the tongue can cut sharper than a knife. This is a true statement. Have you ever been on the receiving end of an argument where somebody says something out of anger or meanness towards you? The pain of something said out of anger lingers for a long time. More often than not, it hurts more than physical contact, and sometimes the pain lingers for so long that a friendship or marriage can be destroyed by something that is said in the heat of the moment.

For better or worse, sometimes I adhere to an attitude that if someone "wrongs" me, then I will never associate myself with them again. I harbor bitter feelings, and I let it influence me in a negative way. As much as I strive not to, I have said things in anger to cause injury to someone that I care about. I have also noticed that it seems to be human nature to tear someone down, rather than build them up. Over the course of the last couple of years, I have tried to build people up rather than tear them down.

When we encourage one another we are building relationships and are becoming true friends to others. There is a difference in hurting someone's feelings by being honest, out of love for someone, and being intentionally vengeful. James 3:9 says that "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness." If we are made in God's likeness, should we be using our tongue as a weapon to hurt each other? James also likens the tongue to a rudder on a ship. Just as a small rudder controls a ship, a tongue can control us. Let us stop and pause to reflect on which way we want our tongue to control us. Are we using our tongues as a tool to build each other up or as a weapon to tear each other down?

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"Kind words are like honey - sweet for the soul and healthy for the body." (Proverbs 16:24)

Words of love, thankfulness, and encouragement give satisfaction, happiness, and hope to the ear that hears them. These words have strength and energy and possess positive results to all. How often do you say, "Job well done", "You make me proud", "You are important to me", "I love you", or "Thank you?" Do you look at the glow on the face of the person you're speaking to? When you hear them yourself, do you feel a gratifying happiness?
Many of us feel that we live in a so that says, "it's all about ME!" and because of this outlook a lot of us have a negative temperament. We live making comparisons and compete to out-do each other. I have seen more people tear down their co-workers, partners, and friends with slander to get ahead instead of working equally with them for the progress in their lives. The showing of appreciation and encouragement to others on their way are attributes rarely seen or heard. Instead, we should speak as Jesus did. Looking at his life, Jesus loved the world no matter how self-centered and uncaring it was. He lived and died demonstrating to the world the importance of love, compassion, understanding, and forgiveness.

As followers of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, we have learned that it's not all about "ME" in this worldly place. "Earth" is but a short stop to our eternal home. Positive words and the truths of God are for us to give to others as he did. For us to hear these positive words is always nice and we do hear them from our brothers and sisters in Christ, but the real prize will be when we hear them from the Father of All Creation in Heaven.

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