The old saying goes that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." If this is so, then why does it often feel like words of malice, slander and abuse towards us feel disabling at times?

It's not true that words are not powerful and cannot hurt people. Words are powerful and they can destroy once we allow them to enter into our hearts and minds. The saying on "sticks and stones" is however right in saying that we actually have a choice whether we would allow it to make or break us.

We cannot choose the words that are thrown at us, but that doesn't mean we are left all on our own when people choose to malign us with words and that we don't have any options. We can choose to respond in a different manner. Here are ways that you can choose to respond differently when faced with words of malice and cursing.

Word of God over words of man

Hebrews 4:12 reminds us "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword..." The hurtful words of man are powerful, but nowhere near as powerful as the very Words that God spoke. When people throw hurtful words that go against the very grain and nature of God, we can either choose to believe that or believe what God has to say.

It was by His Word that God created everything and it was by Jesus' words that He calmed the storm. Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from God.

Words that build over words that destroy

We cannot choose what people say to or against us, but we can very well choose how we respond to destructive words. When we choose to return words that destroy, we do not only destroy others but ourselves as well. But when we understand that we are already whole in Christ and nothing is broken that He cannot fix, we can respond by building others up even those who curse us. Proverbs 18:21 says "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

Words of joy over words of pain

Words can either be sources of joy or sorrow, and it all depends on which one you would like to proclaim over yourself and the people around you. Will you choose to curse those who persecute you, or will you bless them and proclaim freedom from any malice in the situation? Proverbs 13:2 tells us "From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence."