The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21, NIV
Note before sharing the devotional: the first time I ever heard the highlighted passage for today's devotional, Proverbs 18:21, was in a Bible study at my former church in 2019, when I was handed an assignment by the small group leader to lead a sub-group through this verse and ask them to share what God revealed to them about. If I'm not mistaken, there's a good chance that on the same night as this group meeting (at least in the same season) I was handed a photocopy of the hymn shown below. I thought it would be good to combine the two for today's post and devotional.
The Power of Life and Death
Think of a time you said something you regret, or were the target of someone's hurtful words. Now, reflect on a situation where you encouraged a friend who was hurting, or felt the life-giving effects of someone speaking kindly to you.
Words matter. Your words matter. And, God has given you the freedom to choose how you use them.
Are you using your words to tear down or build up? To provoke destruction or initiate restoration? Do your words stir up drama or encourage peace?
“What you say flows from what is in your heart,” Jesus explained in Luke 6:45.
Fruit reveals the health of a tree, just as a tongue reveals what is happening in the heart.
Most of us want to use our words for good and not for harm … we don’t want to be unkind or critical. But, James 3 tells us that the tongue is unstable and cannot seem to be tamed.
So, what can we do? Is there a way to control it?
Self-control is a fruit the Holy Spirit produces in us, which means we can’t get there on our own. We cannot, in our own power, control our tongues. But, we do have a part to play in the process: we need to stick close to Jesus.
When we read His Word, seek His face, and walk in His ways (no matter how many times we mess up and have to begin again), love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to grow in our lives. The biblical term is abiding: staying, continuing, or remaining in Jesus’ presence.
As we abide with Jesus, the Holy Spirit begins to guide the way we speak and change the way we act. When that happens, our words start to bring life and hope to the people around us.
Today, how will you use your words to bring healing and hope to people? How will you stick close to Jesus so that His power can equip you to speak life?
Prayer: God, I want to submit to You. Please fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and other people, so that way my words bring life and encouragement to everyone. Transform me into a new person by changing me from the inside out.
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