Proverbs tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21)
People die because of something said. Tongues can be weapons of mass destruction, launching holocausts and wars. Tongues can also be the death of marriages, families, friendships, churches, careers, hopes, understanding, reputations, missionary efforts, and governments.
Did you know?
Words matter to God. He keeps a record of our words.
Jesus said, "I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak." Matt 12:36 Jesus spoke plainly about our use of words. He tells us, "for every careless word" there will be an accounting in the day of judgment.
We expect Jesus to condemn profane and vile uses of the tongue, but idle words? We say some words carelessly, without concern for their impact on others. Why would God care about those? We assume that the sins of our tongue are minor sins, sins that God will overlook. Jesus was fully aware of the devastating nature of our words.
The Power of Life
But people also live because of something said. The tongue can be “a tree of life” (Proverbs 15:4).
Tongues reconcile peoples and make peace. “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).
Tongues can make marriages sweet, families strong, and churches healthy.
Tongues can give hope to the despairing, advance understanding, and spread the gospel.
Which Will You Choose?
So what will come out of your mouth today, death or life? “Sword thrusts” or “healing” (Proverbs 12:18)?
It will all depend on what’s filling your heart.
Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart [the] mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
A critical heart produces a critical tongue.
A self-righteous heart produces a judgmental tongue.
A bitter heart produces a bitter tongue.
An ungrateful heart produces a grumbling tongue.
So Fill Your Heart...
But a loving heart produces a gracious tongue.
A faithful heart produces a truthful tongue.
A peaceful heart produces a reconciling tongue.
A trusting heart produces an encouraging tongue.
So fill your heart with grace by soaking in your Bible. Soak in Matthew 5, or Romans 12, or 1 Corinthians 13, or Philippians 2. And be very careful taking in the words of death in the newspaper, the radio, the TV, or the blog.
And pray: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Psalm 141:3).
Lord, Today Grant That...
Today, make my mouth “a fountain of life” (Proverbs 10:11).
Help me to be “slow to speak” (James 1:19).
Enable me to encourage others more than I critique them.
Help me to seek opportunities to speak kind, tenderhearted words (Ephesians 4:32).
Allow me to say something affectionate to a loved one, stranger, or friend at an unexpected time.
Equip me to only speak words that are “good for building up,” that “give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
Today, help me to be the person whose mouth is full of life.