To escape from the Imperial boarding party, R2D2 and C3PO board and launch an escape pod toward the planet below.
As they fly away from the Rebel ship that has been captured by the Star Destroyer, C3PO comments, “That’s funny, the damage doesn’t look as bad from out here.”
When looking at a person, we can see the external injuries they have with the naked eye. To see internal wounds, we have developed various types of scans.
We have yet to develop scanner technology that will allow us to see the damage we do to others with our words.
The adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is wrong.
Words matter.
Proverbs 15:4 records, “A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
We read in Proverbs 16:24 that “gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
If someone is mourning the loss of a fellow believer, we read in 1 Thessalonians 4:18, “Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Paul talks in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 about what will happen when Christ returns. This can bring encouragement to those that mourn.
Regardless of what someone is going through, we need to lift up one another as Paul commands in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
Our words and deeds flow from our heart (Matthew 12:34b).
Have we received a new heart?
