Every Person Is a Masterpiece

Read

James 3:9-10 “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

Think

Imagine your class takes a field trip to an art museum. You walk into a big room with a famous painting on the wall. It’s hundreds of years old and worth more money than anyone can count. A guard stands next to it, and a rope keeps people back.

Now imagine someone walked up to that painting with a marker and started scribbling on it. Everyone would gasp! “You can’t do that! That’s a masterpiece!”

The Bible says every person you meet is more valuable than any painting in any museum. And that should shape how we talk to them.

This week we learned that God made people in his image. Today’s verses come from a book in the Bible called James. James noticed something strange about how people use their words.

With our mouths, we sing songs to God. We say, “God, you’re amazing!” But then, with the very same mouth, we say mean things to people. We call them names. We make fun of them. We say things that hurt.

James says that doesn’t make sense, because people “have been made in God’s likeness.” Likeness is another word for image. When we say mean words to someone, it’s like taking a marker to God’s masterpiece.

James says, “This should not be.”

Think about the kids at your school. The one who is super fast and the one who always comes in last. The one everyone wants to sit with and the one who sits alone. Every one of them carries God’s image. Every one is a masterpiece.

The same is true for your brother or sister, even when they’re driving you crazy!

That doesn’t mean you’ll never get upset with anybody. But you can choose your words carefully. You can use your words to build people up instead of tearing them down.

Here’s a good question to ask yourself before you speak: “Would I say this to one of God’s masterpieces?”

Because that’s exactly who you’re talking to.

Apply

Build someone up – Say something kind today to one person who might not hear kind words very often. Tell them one thing you like about them.

Pray

God, thank you that every person is made in your image. Forgive me for the times I’ve used my words to hurt people. Help me use my words to build others up. In Jesus’ name. Amen.