My husband Jim’s father was a very wise man. One of the life lessons he taught him at a young age was, your tongue can be your worst enemy. Once you say something you can’t take it back.
The bible says it this way, Death and life is in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it will eat the fruit of it (Proverbs 18:21)
I can honestly say in the 32 years I have known Jim he has not spoken an unkind word to me. We have had our disagreements! But there is a BIG difference between opinions and using words as a weapon to attack, criticize, wound, accuse, or to tear down.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue!! Words are containers for power. They carry either a life giving force or a destructive one. Take electricity for example. You can turn on a switch and light fills the room. In the same sense if you touch a live wire it could kill you.
This scripture is saying that every time you open your mouth a creative force is released, a force that will either build our relationship up or tear it down.
Proverbs 12:18 says, the words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing
I can remember back to when my hormones were raging and I was quite frankly not a lot of fun to be around and a few words Jim spoke to me so very carefully….. “Hon you’re really not being yourself” His words were the truth spoken in love and it snapped me out of it! He chose his words wisely. He could have accused me of being irrational or overly sensitive. He reminded me my behavior does not have to be ruled by my hormones, erratic thoughts or emotions, but by the spirit. Jim’s words spoke” life” into me and I switched gears from being led by the flesh to being led by the spirit
Because I am a child of God the Spirit of Christ is in me
And the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control (Galatians 5:22)
Walk by the spirit and you will not satisfy the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)
Our words are a creative force that can either build up or tear apart our relationships. We make that choice. That is not to say that we are never to confront one another. However, there is a world of difference between a critical word and correcting word. It all has to do with the heart.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that they may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
One of my favorite scriptures is:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14)
I want to encourage you as you awaken to face each new day to pray those words “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight” and watch how our Lord will make you aware of your words and lead you to speak words of life!!