BY TIAR’A LITERARY & ILLUSTRATIONS AUGUST 24, 2022

"Stick and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me". You may have heard the cliché. Unfortunately, a considerable number have taken it to heart. "The pen is mightier than the sword". According to these clichés, words are not hurtful, yet the written word is mightier than the sword. Well, which is it?

Sadly, "double-speak" has become common place in society. Some say one thing but mean another. Others waver in their opinions more frequently than the ocean tides, yet the resounding effect is that the majority abuse, or misuse the true meaning of words and what they represent.

In The Holy Bible there are no gray areas, despite what modern culture, and some "forward-thinking" churches are perpetuating *(Matthew 6:24: "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon"), this is plain as black and white.

As children, we are taught right from wrong - hopefully. Some adults choose to forget their earlier teachings and like to imagine that certain Biblical requests made by God can be broken to suit and justify their adult needs, or those of their social status quo. Let me state; none of us are perfect, not me, not you, "not one", but this should not be used as a crutch to continue defying God's requests, or to outright convolute His emphatic and Divine Word.

In fact, Words, contrary to the opening cliché, can most assuredly be hurtful and far more damaging than sticks and stones could ever be. If you are hit by a stone or a stick, eventually the lash or bruise will fade. However, if a certain negative word is spoken over you, over and over, it can have a lifelong damaging effect to your psyche. Alternatively, words can build us up.

The Holy Bible states in Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart". Baring this in mind, let us analyze two words that are significantly meaningful to God that are presently used by society to honor and glorify the opposite of how God defined them.

THE RAINBOW

In *Genesis 9:13-16 God painted a spectacular rainbow across the sky and signified to Noah that the rain had ended, and that He would never again destroy the earth by flood. It was a positive visual, and a positive statement; "I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud, and I will look upon it that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth".

The rainbow was an illustration for mankind to observe and hold to heart - God's everlasting visual in the heavens showing his eternal compassion and covenant towards us. Today, we are painfully aware that what we know to be God's rainbow, has been distorted, and is now being used to glorify sin.

In June of 2022, rainbow flags were raised high outside country Embassy's around the globe - but were not raised in honor of God, and his covenant to man. They were raised in honor of man and his sin.

PRIDE

"Pride comes before the fall", yet our world currently thrives on everything prideful. We hear it frequently; "I am so proud of my accomplishment". "I am so proud that I have a degree". "I am so proud that my son scored the winning touchdown". Let us not forget that God ordains all things that glorify His Kingdom. Anything else is just human accomplishment, and none are that special. For God views us equally, not favoring one over the other (Romans 2:11: "For there is no respect of persons with God"). If you repeat an action enough you will eventually remember how to perform it. Some may call you an expert, but you have simply done what any actor can do - memorize. Remain humble as per Jesus' instruction. "I am so happy I passed the test". "I am so elated I finished the yard work". Take the word proud and "pride" out of your conversation. Proverbs 27:1: "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth".

Psalms 10:4: "In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, "There is no God".

Satan was arrogant and overflowing with pride. Clearly, The Holy Bible attributes pride to a negative emotion, and certainly not anything to be celebrated.

In conclusion, and in stark contrast to worldly beliefs, words are the most powerful weapon in the universe. After all, the universe was created by The Word (John I: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God"). The Word penned the greatest how-to-live-life study guide - The Holy Bible. Words create business, they create educational curriculums, they create laws, entertainment, and sell product.

Be careful of the words you listen to, condone, and those that escape your mouth. And pay exceptional attention that you know a word's true meaning and that you do not "alter" that word's meaning to suit your own human, or social status quos. The result could be eternally damaging.

Written by Tiar’a Literary & Illustrations

Over The Rainbow - Why Words Still Matter (prophecynewswatch.com)