"The simple moral fact is that words kill." Matthew 5:21-22 in the Message
If you ask me I would say forget the saying "Sticks and stones may brake my bones, but words can never hurt me." It is great in terms of trying to convince yourself that negative things that other people say can not hurt you. However, the truth is it does. On top of that those intending to hurt others with words can say it is okay because they never threw a stick or stone.
As a christian in God's eyes any sin is a sin, one no higher than the other. When you insult one of His children you should just go right to God, because when you insult his children you insult Him. God does not make trash. Therefore He becomes hurt when you tell one of his creations that they are trash.
"Carelessly call a brother an 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court." Matthew 5:22 [The Message]
Now say you have all ready passed the insult. Say you have all ready hurt someone with your words or even your fists, what should you do? Cower and hope they forget? No. Think back to the last person who hurt you, did you forget it? Or did you remember, and you still carry it around? Most likely you still remember it.
In the Bible it states that those who seek forgiveness must be forgiving themselves.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother and sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
So if you have all ready hurt someone, before you ask for God's forgiveness, ask for their forgiveness. Go make things right. Apologize, and mean it.
If you are on the other end and someone who has hurt you asks for forgiveness, forgive them, do not hold a grudge. If you want to be forgiven you must forgive first. Forgive others as God and Jesus both forgave you. I could go on and on about verses and messages from the bible on forgiveness forever. Most of all, though trust me that forgiving someone is far better than hating them. Hate just festers and carries dark thoughts. Where as forgiveness lifts the darkness of the past. Now, what happens if this person has done this to you before. How many times do you forgive them before you stop? One? Two? Three? There is no limit. Never stop forgiving them no matter how many times it happens.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
You never stop forgiving as long as they ask for forgiveness. You would want the same back. So why not expect of yourself what you would expect of them?
Matthew 7:1-2 and 5
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults-- unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging." Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. [The Message]
It is pretty simple, treat others the way you want to be treated. Though you may think with all these lessons we get as christians that teach us what not to do in order to be a good christian, part of our job is to point out when other christians do one of these "what not to do" things. This is not the case, however. There is only one who can do that, and judge whether or not what someone is doing is right, and that is God. I say we stop focusing on pointing out the flaws of others and focus more on bringing them to God. Once we have brought them to God, He can then take over and tell them whether or not what they are doing is wrong. Only if they ask is when we tell. If they ask if what they are doing is wrong and you can, with biblical evidence, answer them, then I believe that is okay, other wise, if you ask me that is not our job. You would not want someone else pointing out your flaws, so why do you point out the flaws of others? If someone tried to attract you to a sport by telling you how un fit and un skilled you were, would you join? So why do we try to capture the hearts of others with hating words?
