Our Words Matter: What Are Careless Words?

Welcome to "Our Words Matter" a 5-part mini-series about using our words wisely and avoiding careless words.

​Last month we looked at The Sin of Careless Words. Today, we're looking at What Are Careless Words? Over the next few months (the last Friday of each month) we will also look at:

• Where Do Careless Words Come From?
• What Do Careless Words Do?
• How Do I Avoid Careless Words?

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​I hope you'll join us for "Our Words Matter" because they do! 

Careless words are those that are spoken rashly. They lack wise consideration and are often impulsive, thoughtless, and insensitive. In short, careless words are those that happen when we just don’t think. 

As I look back on my life, I can see how I have often struggled with careless speech and also how God has patiently worked to teach me and grow me in this area.

One of the main ways He has done this is by allowing me to experience the painful sting of such words. I can truly echo the Psalmist’s sentiments in Psalm 119.

“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.” Psalm 119:71

For me, this period of affliction stretched over the three years that my husband and I tried to make a family. Like a lot of couples, we assumed that we would not have to wait long to get pregnant, but that was not the road God had for us. ​

After trying to conceive for well over a year, we had grown quite discouraged, and one of the things that added to our sadness was the careless words of others. These were people who loved us, our friends, and our family. I am convinced that not one of them ever meant to hurt or injure our hearts. However, careless words tend to cause pain regardless of intention.

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts." Proverbs 12:18a

Oh, how true these words are! There were countless times that I would be caught off guard and felt the heart-piercing sting of rash and careless comments. I vividly remember one such interaction that happened after a church service while I was chatting with some friends. I was holding one friend’s youngest child when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Upon turning around, I was greeted by a warm smile and hello from a fellow church member, who pointed to the little one in my arms and said jovially, “I just wanted to say that you need to hurry up and get you one of those!” 

A sword thrust into my heart, but I kept smiling. “Oh!” I replied, trying not to grimace, “Well, we would love to! We’re just trusting the Lord!” Unaware of the storm brewing in my heart, the person countered, “Well, you better not wait too long! If you do, you might miss out!” Another sword thrust. I laughed, but I wanted to cry. ​

I know this person well, and I am sure that their intention was completely benign. They certainly never meant to cause me pain or make me uncomfortable. They didn’t know how long we had been trying, how desperately we were praying, and that their words had wounded my already fragile heart. In fact, I believe they were more than likely simply making conversation through playful banter. But that encounter, and many others like it, helped me to see that my own off-handed comments, impulsive chitchat, and casual exchanges can very easily lend themselves toward careless, insensitive words that are like swords thrust into the hearts of those who hear them. ​

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​Our Words Matter Scripture Memory Cards

This set of 10 5" X 5" Scripture Memory Cards from the "Our Words Matter" mini-series are available in our Etsy shop. These prints will help you memorize Scripture that will impact your life! ​

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How has God patiently worked to teach and grow you in the area of careless speech?