ADDICTED
TO HARMFUL WORDS

Topics: Bitterness; Boasting; Complaining; Criticism; Cursing; Discouragement; Faultfinding; Gossip; Insensitivity; Lying; Self-control; Speech; Tongue; Weakness

References: Proverbs 4:24; 12:18; 13:3; 18:21; Matthew 12:36; 15:11; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:29; James 1:26; 3:1–12; 1 Peter 3:10

Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Words That Hurt, Words That Heal, often lectures on the impact of words. He asks audiences if they can go twenty-four hours without saying any unkind words about another person or to another person. Invariably, a small number of listeners raise their hands, signifying yes. Others laugh, and quite a large number call out, “No!”

Telushkin says, “Those of you who can’t answer yes must recognize that you have a serious problem. If you cannot go twenty-four hours without drinking liquor, you are addicted to alcohol. If you cannot go twenty-four hours without smoking, you are addicted to nicotine. Similarly, if you cannot go twenty-four hours without saying unkind words about others, then you have lost control over your tongue.”

—Rick Ezell, One-Minute Uplift (July 21, 2006)