Its role is to activate our consciences to our failures and to direct us to the Cross to receive forgiveness and cleansing. Guilt, that isn't resolved is this way, festers within our souls causing anguish and even physical suffering. Words have spiritual values. They can create life in our spirit or they can produce death. Negativity and criticism can do more to wound and bruise the spirit than physical violence.
Verbal abuse is a sad part of our culture.
It is all too common to hear people making fun of and ridiculing children, spouses and one another. In spite of the intention, this still hurts. It is particularly harmful when it comes from those who are close, who instead should support and uphold. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless. Media reports of real and wide spread physical abuses are forever before us.