Can we be inoculated from an "infection" of hostility?

"Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which
rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The
foundation of such a method is love."

-Martin Luther King

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"Hostility is like an infectious disease. Whenever we indulge in a violent act or even in hostile words, we are passing this disease on to those around us. When we quarrel at home, it is not just a domestic problem; we are contributing to turmoil everywhere."-

A teacher of meditation in ancient India, Patanjali, wrote
that

in the presence of a man or woman in whom all hostility
has died, others cannot be hostile. In the presence of a man
or woman in whom all fear has died, no one can be afraid.

This is the power released in true nonviolence, as we can see in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. Because all hostility had died in his heart, he was a profound force for peace.--- Eswaran

I have struggled with this concept for my whole life, and only now, as I approach age 55,

do I sense any reconciliation with it in my heart and soul.

There was a time when I confirmed the children's saying that "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me". So blunted and out of touch with my own feeling/emotional center, so oriented towards thinking and doing, I did not believe that words had that kind of "force" in one's life.

Now I am certain that they do.

Just as our Creator brought the world as we know it into existence by the force of His Authoritative Word, also, as co-creators, made in His Image, our words have power and force.

We have the capability to encourage, foster, direct, and create, through our love, communicated through the words of life coming from our lives. 

We are also able to destroy and deliver negative emotions, and to cultivate depressing thoughts and ideas through the words we express to others. 

Recently,  I have observed this behavior as it has been happening within our church.

Constant questioning, & expressions of opinions and disagreements which are done in a tone which communicates a spirit of hostility towards others can cause harm that hard to repair.

These questions and expressions of hide bound opinions can deliver through words an impression that communicates an attitude of distrust and disharmony within the church. Words that convey an inherent lack of trust and understanding expressed through harmful opinion clashes--all these things can be exercised in a way that causes harm to a church fellowship. 

Why can't we simply listen, without expressing a judgmental response through incessant questioning and or hostile opinion statements? 

I have reckoned this as true to my own life---my preferences, like and dislikes, or opinion is not all that important, especially if that opinion is expressed in a hostile, confrontational manner. My opinions and thoughts that are in contravention to those expressed by others in a group setting, are better generally left unsaid. Should a matter be important to me-have I asked the question to myself?

"Is this issue more important than my relationship with a brother or sister in the faith?"" "Could I be more productive by taking the time to express that matter to the brother or sister privately, without causing the affect that vetting that objectionable disagreement in the group could cause?"

This has become crucial to me in my inter-relationships within the church. I need to be asking myself these questions before I speak out, because my words have power...I am created in the image of the Creator and He endowed me with real power in my words.

Lord, by your Spirit, help me to live from my essential self, and "inoculate" my soul with your love, so my words are expressed for healing, not for hostility, divisiveness, or opposition which harms my relationship with a brother or sister.

May this prayer come to pass as each day I am given comes to pass.