Our words have power.
More than we think. For the first time on stage, I shared, hesitantly at first- about the power we wield in our tongue, how key it is that we let God burn the dross from our lips.🔥
“Wow, you look like put on weight.”
“You don’t look good in those pants.”
“Your belly shape means you’ll be expecting a baby boy!”
“Why are you still single?”
These are just some of the many statements many of us field and bat, especially in church circles. Such words hurt. They sting. Leave a scar. And a trail of offenses.
Over the weekend, as I spoke on “Untangling Knots” at the “Tapestry Conference” by @plmc_conference2022 , my plea was for us all to use our words to encourage and edify, not tear down.
To those of us who’ve appointed ourselves as social media police officers, helicoptering and admonishing those younger than us- probably should stop. 🤫
If you want to speak into someone’s life, especially to issue a rebuke, you have to first EARN it through a real-life, non-digital-only relationship. Sending a DM to tell someone about their errs is not appropriate. Claiming self-conferred authority (“I’ve been here long enough”) to correct others insensitively only leads to slash-and-burn.
Our words matter. Focus on what counts.
In a corridor or along the stairwell, wield your words with intention and integrity. Intention to encourage, and integrity to be truthful.
Someone’s weight, relationship status, expected gender of child, how their thighs look- really shouldn’t matter to us in the Kingdom. They don’t need to be said. Whatever for? 🤷🏻‍♀️
Let our words edify and encourage. Let’s untangle the knots of past offenses. Forgive and release. Let us let God weave His beautiful tapestry from our lives – together. 🦋
Till today, the dream I had last week of a gigantic pair of white angel wings with a red heart at the center over the conference still leaves me in awe. God is alive to bring freedom and redemption. đź•Š
*Thank you @plmc_conference2022 for yr incredibly hospitality and the glorious beauty of your stained-glass church. Thank you for having me 🥲