- Matthew 12:35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
- Proverbs 12:18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Proverbs 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
- Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
- Proverbs 18:7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.
- Proverbs 21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
If something is lacking the basics, if things are built on top of it, it will keep falling, and no matter how it may be decorated with bright things, it will not shine. Words and actions are basic character. People who say and do things that hurt other people do not know that they are doing wrong because doing so has become their ‘constitution’ and without knowing that they are doing wrong, they habitually keep speaking and acting recklessly.
Some people, while claiming that they are giving grace to others, actually cause them to stumble, become discouraged, and lose strength. The more you cause your brothers to lose strength, the more you, yourself, will ultimately lose strength. Unless you fix this, you, yourself, will not be replenished with strength. As a example, let us say that two people are looking at ‘one and the same person’. One of them will see ‘that person’s good side’ first, while the other will see ‘that person’s lacking side’ first. Why would they do that? It is because of ‘their own characters and own hearts’.
When a person’s character is not polished, when he looks at others he will notice ‘their lacking side’ first and point it out, and will judge and treat others carelessly based on his own thoughts. If you look only at other individual’s negative points, you also will ultimately gain nothing and will not advance.
You have to be careful with every single word you say. This is because even though [your words] are ‘small words like a butterfly fluttering’, to others they feel as shocking as a ‘typhoon’, and so their hearts crumble, they stumble, and they become discouraged because of your words. Everyone really must inscribe this word in his/her heart.
You must not look down on young people just because of their age. All lives created by God are ‘kings of individuality’. Even though they may be younger than you, and even if they do not work as well as you, they are ‘kings of individuality’. Therefore, you must not ignore them, but treat them valuably. Since they are people who are like kings, you also must treat them well, treat them as if they are ‘kings’. Then they will feel good and so they will soar, run, and do well.
Do not lose strength from what people say and do. Do not become discouraged or be shaken. People are [only] people. They will not understand ‘your heart’. If you are hurt whenever you listen to what people have to say, you will be shaken as a result of those words, and will not go on the path you must travel. Now that you have listened to today’s message I bless you to to have a true bride’s mentality of making efforts, taking action, and challenging yourself.