The Power of the Tongue

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
(Prov. 18:21)

                It’s amazing how something can be used to do so much good, and yet the very same thing can be used to do so much evil.  For instance, money can be used to feed the hungry or it can be used to purchase drugs and alcohol.  The internet can be used to do research on a school project, or it can be used to solicit sex acts from a child.  In both cases, the user is the one who determines if his resources will be used for good or evil.  We all need to understand that the tongue falls into this category.

                Solomon tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.”  Does he mean that we have to the power to give birth to someone or to kill someone just by saying a few words?  No – what he means is that our words will either bring life to ourselves and others, or they can be used as instruments of destruction and death.  For instance, if you know someone who is struggling with sin, you can talk behind their back (death), or you can lovingly confront them and encourage them to change (life).

                Think about the ramifications of this verse – with every word you say, you are either giving life or taking life from someone else.  I don’t know about you, but I wanted to be counted among those breathing life into other people – the kind of person that someone doesn’t want to avoid when they see me coming.  And be warned – “those who love it will eat its fruit.”  In other words, if you love to talk, then you need to be prepared to live with the consequences of your words.  Let’s choose to speak life!