The Power Of Your Tongue

 

   verse from Proverbs 18:21:

  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

What a powerful verse! There is so much we can dissect from those 20 words. The book of Proverbs is one of my favorites books because wisdom and understanding flow there by way of life lessons. It's the book that can say so much with so little words. Puzzles I love putting together. At first glance, Proverbs 18:21 can sound almost mystical—as though saying something automatically makes it happen. That isn't what Scripture is teaching. The deeper meaning is about the enormous power our words have to bring about life or destruction through what they communicate, influence, encourage, authorize, and set in motion. The book of James also cautions us in the 3rd chapter verses 1-12 warning that the tongue, though the littlest member of the body is like a "fire set on hell" "a world of iniquity" "defiles the whole body" "sets on hell the course of nature" "an unruly evil" "full  of deadly poison" "we bless with it and curse with it" and finally, " no man can tame it." (KJV) pointing out the heavy responsiblity we have in how and what we speak to each other. Not only is this necessary information for every Christian believer but it also can be valuable for anyone outside of faith. I want to go through this particular verse and reveal what I've gleaned from it. So if you have a few minutes and don't mind a longer blog, I will expound.

 

What does it mean to have the POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH in our tongue? That sounds terrifying in a way from the power alone then add what the book of James adds and you realize how crucial this subject is. Think about what the tongue can actually do. Your tongue cannot physically create a tree, heal a broken bone, or cause someone to die merely because you spoke words. But your words can change the course of a person's life.

Think about these words: “You are worthless. You'll never amount to anything.” A child may hear that repeatedly and eventually believe it. Those words can produce shame, hopelessness, insecurity, and destructive behavior. Now compare: “You made a mistake, but you can get back up. You are not a failure.” Those words can produce courage, hope, repentance, and perseverance. The circumstances may be identical—but the words spoken into the situation can influence what happens next.

 

That's the “power” of the tongue.  But there is an even deeper spiritual dimension. The Bible repeatedly connects words with the heart. Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). In other words, your tongue is revealing what is inside you. And this is where Proverbs 18:21 becomes particularly profound. Your words aren't merely sounds. They can reveal several things .. faith or unbelief, wisdom or foolishness, love or hatred, truth or deception, encouragement or condemnation, blessing or cursing, repentance or rebellion. That's not all. Your words can lead you and others toward corresponding actions.

Consider gossip for instance. Someone says:

“Did you hear what she did?”

Another person repeats it.

Another adds something.

Soon a person's reputation is destroyed—even though the original statement may have been false. The tongue produced destruction.

Now consider someone saying ..

“Let's not assume the worst about her. We don't know the whole story.” That tongue stopped destruction. THAT'S LIFE AND DEATH IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE! 

 

Scripture takes this VERY seriously.  James gives us perhaps the clearest explanation. He compares the tongue to a small fire: “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5).

Think about that. A tiny spark can eventually burn an entire forest. So can a few words can start something enormously destructive. One lie can destroy a marriage. One accusation can destroy someone's reputation. One cruel sentence can remain in someone's memory for fifty years. One false teaching can lead thousands of people away from truth.But the reverse is also true because one word of encouragement can keep someone from giving up. One confession can restore a relationship. One testimony can lead someone toward Christ. One proclamation of God's truth can change someone's eternity. That's the astonishing power of the tongue!  Now look at it from the perspective of God ..

 

There is an even deeper connection. God Himself creates through His WORD. Genesis repeatedly says: “And God said…”And then something happened. “Let there be light.” And there was light. But here's an important distinction: God's words have creative power because He is God. We are not little gods whose words magically create reality. That's a very important boundary. We don't speak something into existence simply because we said it. Instead, our words have power because God created human beings with the ability to communicate, influence, teach, persuade, bless, deceive, encourage, and destroy.

 

Now let's look at the last words of verse 21. “They that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” This part is REALLY important. Proverbs doesn't merely say: “Words have consequences for other people.” It says you will eat the fruit of your own tongue! In simple language: What you continually speak can eventually become part of the life you are living. Suppose someone constantly says: “Nobody can be trusted.” They may eventually become suspicious of everyone. They push people away. Relationships deteriorate. Then they say: “See? Nobody can be trusted.” They created with their words .. therefore they are eating the fruit of their own words! 

Or another example, someone continually speaks hatred, bitterness, resentment and anger. Those words reinforce the condition of their own heart. But someone who continually speaks truth, gratitude, forgiveness, wisdom and encouragement can cultivate a very different kind of life.

The mouth plants seeds.

Life eventually produces fruit. See how it works?

 

Finally, just realize there is something deeper in the verses in book of Proverbs . It isn't merely saying, “Don't say mean things.” It is showing us how extraordinarily consequential our words can be. One thing I especially love about today's blog is knowing:

Your tongue can become a tool in God's hands.

You can speak truth to someone who is discouraged.

You can speak forgiveness when someone expects condemnation.

You can speak Scripture when someone is confused.

You can speak hope when someone feels hopeless.

And sometimes, one sentence spoken at exactly the right moment can stay with a person for the rest of their life. Again, that's the “life” in the power of the tongue. 

Small instrument. Enormous consequences.

I love digging into Proverbs! I want to understand what God is really showing us underneath the words. I hope someone sees this too.

 

Until He comes,

-Pat-