July 11
The Power
of Words
"The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts."
Proverbs 18:8, NIrV
Sheila and Heather had worked together at the local hair salon for years. Their days were filled with lively chatter, both with each other and with their clients. The salon was a place of community, where people came not just for haircuts but for conversation, laughter, and sometimes, a little bit of gossip. Sheila and Heather knew that their clients trusted them, and they often became the bearers of secrets, exchanging stories of everything from messy breakups to office drama.
At first, it seemed harmless enough. After all, everyone loves a good story, right? But over time, Sheila began to notice something unsettling. The gossip was never just about trivial things; it was often about people they knew—mutual friends, colleagues, or even their own clients. And though it started as light-hearted chatter, it was becoming more and more judgmental and hurtful.
One afternoon, a new client sat in Sheila's chair. Her name was Amanda, and Sheila immediately noticed the tension in her shoulders, the nervousness in her voice as she shared about a recent personal struggle. Sheila, eager to provide comfort, began sharing a similar story of a friend of theirs, knowing it would make Amanda feel understood. But as she spoke, Sheila could see Amanda’s face fall. She had trusted Sheila with her heart, and here Sheila was, unknowingly feeding gossip to a stranger.
Later that evening, Sheila sat alone in her small apartment, reflecting on the day. She felt a deep conviction. What had seemed harmless before now felt like something much darker. The words she had shared with Amanda weren’t just lighthearted—they had hurt her. They had torn down the trust that was so important in the salon.
Sheila opened her Bible and found herself drawn to Proverbs 18:8. "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts." The verse hit her hard. She had known the truth about gossip all along, but today, it felt more real. Words could build up or tear down, and Sheila had to decide which path she would walk moving forward.
The next day at work, Sheila took a deep breath as she entered the salon. Heather was already at her station, chatting with a client. Sheila felt the weight of her decision, knowing it would be hard to break the cycle of gossip that had become such a regular part of their days. But she couldn’t keep pretending that the harmless comments were harmless anymore.
“Hey, Heather,” Sheila began, her voice a little nervous, “I’ve been thinking a lot about something. I don’t think it’s right, the way we talk about people sometimes. I know we’re just trying to pass the time, but I don’t want to be a part of that anymore.”
Heather looked up at her, surprised but not judgmental. “What do you mean?”
“I mean... gossip. I don’t want to gossip about people. It’s not helping anyone, and it’s not kind,” Sheila said, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders as she spoke. She had been afraid that Heather might not understand, but Heather nodded.
“I get it,” Heather said. “I’ve noticed the same thing. I think I’ve been doing it without even realizing how it might affect people.”
They both fell silent for a moment, realizing that this small shift could bring about something much bigger. They decided to make a commitment together to encourage each other, to speak life into their clients and friends, rather than spreading words that tore others down. They started by consciously choosing to redirect conversations, turning their attention to kindness, encouragement, and laughter that built others up. The change wasn’t always easy, but it felt good. It felt right.
Prayer:
Lord,
Thank You for opening my eyes to the power of my words.
Please help me to be mindful of what I say and how it affects others.
Forgive me for the times I have spoken carelessly or used my words to tear down instead of build up.
Fill me with wisdom and kindness, so that I may speak life into those around me.
Help me to be a reflection of Your love and grace in everything I say.
Guide my heart and my words, and let them always bring honor to You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
