Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Words have power. Power to build up. Power to tear down. Power to encourage. Power to discourage. Power to ignite faith. Power to ignite fear. Power to bring hope. Power to bring despair. How do you use your tongue? For life or for death?
Have you ever tried to go through a 24-hour period of time without complaining or criticizing—once? You might find it harder than you think. Our words matter. For either we are bringing life into a situation or death.
The power of the tongue is especially sobering in the context of your family, those closest to you. Yet positively the prospects are inspiring. Care must especially be exercised with those you love.
Being down in the mouth spreads poison to the hearers. It weighs down the atmosphere, and those in that atmosphere feel the weight. Sadly, negativity can be quite contagious, and sometimes explosive.
Yet being intentionally positive spreads life to the hearers. It lifts the atmosphere, and those present feel the lift. Words of positivity can also spread like a river of life, enlivening the shores it touches.
Ultimately, words of life are the words of God empowered by the Spirit. But words within the boundaries of written truth also bring life to many around you as you walk in and speak in the Spirit. When you love the power of the tongue—for life, you experience the benefits and blessings of being a life-giver, you help create a greenhouse of thriving, and you are being used by the Spirit of life to bring life to others.
John Van Gelderen
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