I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin.
—Psalm 39:1
Bullying is not harmless; it is brutal. The number one cause of teen suicide is bullying by speech. “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Prov. 18:21).
“Sticks and stones may break my bones / But words will never hurt me” is a vicious lie, for nothing hurts more than hateful words. Countless victims of abusive language live lives of loneliness and feelings of worthlessness. Spiteful speech causes fights, divorce, alienation, and church splits.
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless” (Jas. 1:26).
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).
Freedom of speech does
not include the right to offend.