Have you ever heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” Honestly, I’d love to meet the person who came up with that line in a back alley and give them a piece of my mind. Okay, that sounds a little intense—and no, I’m not talking about actual violence. If you know me, you know I’d be pointing them to multiple Scriptures about how our words are meant to be loving, encouraging, and used to build others up.

“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:6 (NIV).

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV).

Our words have power. They can build others up or tear them down. They can, like a fire, corrupt the whole body if we allow them. As believers, we have a responsibility to use our words to encourage others and point them to Christ, not push them away or scar them.

If only the people in my life had chosen to follow what God said about our words when I was younger. Instead, their careless and cutting words left deep marks. The hurtful words shaped me into a little girl who was insecure, shy, and hesitant to trust. Maybe you’ve felt that too. Perhaps someone’s gossip, harsh criticism, or cruel words have echoed in your heart far longer than they should have. Words can do that. If we start to believe them, they can change how we see ourselves and even how we live, if we start to believe them.

But here’s the good news: words don’t have to define who you are! When we know who we are in Christ, we can allow God to define us. You are loved, chosen, forgiven, and created for a purpose only you can fulfill.

• You are loved by Christ. (John 3:16, Galatians 2:20)
• You are forgiven. (1 John 1:9, Colossians 2:13)
• You are redeemed.  (Isaiah 45:1-3 Galatians 3:13-14, 4:5 Ephesians 1:7)
• You were chosen for a purpose.  (1 Peter 2:9 Colossians
• You are a new person. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• You are made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:27)

The next time someone’s words wound you, remember the truth about what God says about you.

We’ve all believed words that wounded us. What’s one thing someone said about you that God had to rewrite?