I have been told over and over again that the kinetic energy of hand propelled projectiles of varying masses at different speeds is far greater than the mouth released projectiles of differing decibel levels and durations. While I cannot cite the exact research organization or the paper in which this was published nor can I say with any certainty that it was properly peer reviewed; I can, without any hesitation state, based upon the sheer number of repetitions of this saying in school yards across the world, there is raw data and therefore a high potential that the hypothesis has been or will be proved or disproved. Wow, now I feel all sciencie. Look at me talking kinetic energy and peer reviewed papers. Don’t worry, I’ve exhausted all my science so we can move on.

Sticks and stones may break my bones…

The hypothesis alludes to the potential energy that lies within a stick or stone that, once thrown, becomes kinetic energy that when confronted with parts of the human body, may cause fractures.

…But names will never hurt me

The remainder of the hypothesis seems to state with some certainty that the potential energy of words not yet spoken, specifically names of the non flattering type, is nonexistent and therefore the kinetic energy of these names when launched is so low it cannot cause damage. Sorry, I had a little more science in me but I think I am out of it now.

I beg to differ.

The power of the tongue, the effect of words, especially names, can leave a lasting mark on the intended target. Stored up in the minds of those who will speak is the potential to uplift or tear down (Proverbs 18:21). Once the name is called it is propelled with such great force that it sticks to the person it is aimed at while fragments splinter off and stick to those who dare to be close by. Sticks and stones may leave a mark even a deformity but they heal. In my experience the marks and deformities of a name leave permanent scars,  if they heal at all.

The only thing worse than being called a name is..

…that name being true. Untrue names are hurtful and often hard to shake but truthful ones are devastating. You will be dogged by that name for the rest of your life, or so it seems. Let’s face it; for the most part, schoolyard name calling often is forgotten over time and if the name happens to stick it becomes a battle scar that is turned around into a badge of honour.

In the Christian world there are names that will always hurt.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but being called a Pharisee will devastate me. Those who were part of the religious ruling class in Jesus’s time wore their names with honour but to others these titles were said with disgust.  The mishmash of political aspirations and religious superiority topped off with the enriching one’s own bank account meant that their titles could be both an honour for the arrogant who held those positions and the ultimate insult when someone suggested that another was acting like a Pharisee, Sadducee or scribe. Jesus often called them out- Matthew 23:1-7 (NIV) “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So, you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

“Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacterieswide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.”

But Names will never hurt me…

Jesus called out the religious leaders by title and they just got mad. How dare someone go against them. They had the power, and they were the religious elite. We, when we read the Bible see the name Pharisee, Sadducee and Scribe as names that hurt when spoken by Jesus so much so that they set out to kill Him and anyone that followed Him. Those who made a mockery of God’s plan for His people by elevating themselves in the religious system wanted to end the plan of The One who was The Creator, The Way The Truth and The Life.

John had another name for them.

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” Matthew 3:7 (NIV). Sticks and stones may break their bones but John just destroyed them. The appearance of those who used God for personal advancement, political power and financial gain, were being called out. John, after calling them their name/title and referring to them as venomous snakes offered them a way to become what God desired them to be. ^“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” Matthew 3:8   

There’s those stones breaking stuff again.

God can take down the people who elevate themselves into positions of power especially those who claim the faith of others as the basis for their right to be where they are. God doesn’t need you or me or any of us. Without repentance we do not bear fruit. Without fruit we are people who have position, power and money but nothing of eternal value to show for it.

Let me propose this hypothesis.

We are living in a time of religious/political leaders that would rival the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes of Jesus’s time. While they claim to be part of the faith system created by God, they show no signs of turning from the ways of this world, they bear no fruit. They are the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes of the 21^st century. Sticks and stones may break their bones, but these names, this ultimate insult will hurt them for all eternity.