October 16th

The Power of the Tongue

Proverbs 18:20-21
A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

The Fruit of Our Words

People are often shocked by the notion that their words have an effect on their lives. Yet, numerous Scripture verses tell us that they do. This passage in Proverbs 18 tells us that our words produce a type of fruit that we ourselves are required to eat and be filled with. There’s an old saying that goes, “Let your words be sweet today. You may need to eat them tomorrow.” Strangely enough, there seems to be a lot of truth in those words, biblically speaking.

Death and Life

The passage goes on to say that death and life are in the power of the tongue. The word “power” here means the hand. Death and life are in the hand of, or the control of, the tongue, or, that is to say, under the control of our words. It then says that they who love it, or love talking, shall eat the fruit that it produces in their life.

Loose Lips

Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

When we talk too much, there is no lack of sin. Much of the sin we deal with in our lives is produced by loose and unbridled talking. Like one minister said, “When I keep my mouth shut, I have much less to repent of.”

Take heed of your words today. Ask the LORD to put a bridle on your tongue. The Book of James says that the tongue is like a horse’s bridle. What we say with our words can lead our life this way or the other. He also compares it to the rudder of a ship, that can turn our lives in one direction or another, like a ship is turned. Let us learn to be quick to hear and slow to speak. And may we always be mindful of the power of evil or good, death or life, that is in the tongue.