Bark Worse than Bite?

One's bark is worse than one's bite. Prov. Someone makes a lot of harsh-sounding threats but never carries them out. Examples: Don't get upset at anything my father says. His bark is worse than his bite. Jill: Lisa says she's going to sue me for letting my dog dig up her rosebushes. John: Oh, don't pay any attention to her. Her bark is worse than her bite.

 You’ve heard this phrase, yes? I posted those from something I read online. Or maybe you’ve heard the reverse: His bite is worse than his bark!  That’s not good either. We need to be mindful of our conversation, threats, overall speech, accusations, harsh tones, and vocabulary that we use to threaten, intimidate, hurt, or heaven forbid, bully others. Really! The Christian must be mindful of our countenance, even when we’re on the receiving end of cruel speech and actions. Bluntly said, because someone else may be a jerk to you, try not to respond in the same like-jerk manner.  It’s a lot harder to do than it sounds. I have learned this from failed experience; situations I could have handled more effectively. You too, right?

I readily admit, it can be difficult to be a better listener than speaker. Friends, let us take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the honorable life that God desires for us.  Proverbs 16:32 (KJV) He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Worthless is a harsh word isn’t it? Who wants to invest in something worthless? Religiosity is dangerous and often worthless!

We must be mindful that the damage from words can linger for years. Perhaps you can relate to this? Do you have a lingering hurt from words received in your childhood? A wounded criticism from a parent? Harmful and destructive comments from a spouse – things said in the heat of the moment? Have you received hateful and cruel verbiage from someone you love – and it left a preverbal scar? I still remember an extremely harsh criticism I received from a high school guidance counselor. I recall the unnecessarily harsh feedback I received on a job one time about being “too nice and a goody-two shoes.” It stung quite a bit.

 

A friend shared with me (earlier today) some things her family members recently said to her. They really hurt her with their severe, hostile, and extremely negative comments. Particularly statements about our Heavenly Father. Does the offender feel guilty? Unfortunately, many times they do not.

 

But, I feel confident in two things:

#1) The nursery rhyme "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never harm me," is not true. I fear it is one of the biggest lies that we ever learn. Words can hurt just as much as any physical harm, in fact, the repercussions can last a lifetime.

#2) "The adversary uses our words to foster things we dislike within ourselves," was a profound comment in an article I recently read. It said, "Harsh and cruel words have the power to destroy, break down, and rob us of real strength in our daily lives." Unseen scars – We all have them.

When we speak in harsh tones, coupled with an unforgiving spirit, using language that so easily can hurt, we influence all those around us as to what a Christian is NOT supposed to be. Don't be this kind of example!

In the wise words of Snoopy (the Peanuts Character) ---- “There’s no sense in doing a lot of barking, if you really don’t have anything to say.”

Look UP my friends!