Verbal Malpractice

Verbal Malpractice. I first heard this phrase from Charles Swindoll during one of his series messages titled "Encouragement Family Style." The series wasn't focus solely on the nuclear family but as the family/body of Christ.He was talking about how important it is to encourage each other.  It's part of being a family.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)  It's unfortunate that the last part is not always true. There are times when our mouth is quicker than our brains and end up hurting someone. How many of us have used our words to damage, injury, and break down instead of heal, encourage and build up? How many of us have been guilty of Verbal Malpractice? All of us I believe at one time or another have been the deliverer and the receiver of such malpractice.

It's so sad to see the family of God using their words as weapons. At times it's intentionally and at others it may not be, but regardless of intention it burns deep into the soul and spirit. Our tongue is fire, a world of unrighteousness. (James 3:6)  "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water." (James 3:9-12) We talk out of both sides of our mouth. We can't continue in this manner. It must be tamed and re-purposed for God.

The words we say should glorify God. The words we speak to each other must be said in brotherly/sisterly love. When we speak encouragement or truth in love it creates a wonderful bond. You build your intimacy with God, because you need Him to renew our tongue and mind. Without that we take the chance of speaking unbridled words, leaving destruction in our path. 

As a teacher this is so important. Anything I say to these students can damage or heal. I still remember the hurtful things that were said. It wasn't just from teachers but other adults and students. It has added to any insecurities or doubts I had about myself. Those words occasionally will resurface at my weakest point. The words spoken may have been unintentional but the mark can't be removed. It's like a nail that has been taken out of a piece of wood. The nail may have been removed but the hole still remains. Our words are like nails that leave scars. Once we say those words, even after we apologize, the hole can't be filled.  

So how do we avoid Verbal Malpractice? By doing what God tells us to do. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."(Romans 12:2) Going daily to Him in prayer, reading the Word daily and renewing our minds daily will keep our tongue in check.

Daily visits with the Great Physician prevents Verbal Malpractice. 

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)