I’ve always believed in the power of words. Sticks and stones may break bones, but words can devastate like a wildfire.
It is easy to focus on the big offenses of the tongue: lying, slander, and bearing false witness. Yet, I am aware that there is danger in even the smallest spark.
I recently learned a new word from the Jewish tradition. Lashon hara refers to telling negative truths about people that are unnecessary and damaging. Outside of the obvious offense of lying, this simple habit can do devastating damage.
I often catch myself sharing a negative truth to receive sympathy or taint someone’s opinion of the situation. I have allowed my sentences to start with, “I really like him/her, but it’s annoying when…” That sentence almost always ends with a negative truth.
It is a spark falling on …