Proverbs 18:21
Thoughts from Pastor Stuart
Dive Deeper
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21
Behind the Scenes
The imagery that keeps rolling around in my head for this verse is that of a king pronouncing death or life in just one command. Or perhaps even a judge that pronounces a life in prison or a life of freedom in one simple statement. The tongue is a powerful tool that is given to us from God. And there are times that we are called to make hard choices and to say hard things.
But the second part of this verse is referring to the fact that how we wield this power, how we care for our tongues, will directly affect the fruit we see in our life and the lives of others. We have to first recognize that our tongues are capable of ushering life and death in this life. Then with that knowledge, we have to be intentional and aware, choosing to speak life-giving truths instead of that which brings death- both physically and spiritually.
Make it Real
Most of us aren’t in a position of authority where we hold the balance of someone’s life in our hands. But this passage isn’t aimed at just those in authority who can physically end a person’s life with a single statement. It is aimed at all of us because, whether we see it or not, we all hold the power of life and death in our tongues.
When we speak to a friend in the midst of conflict… we hold the power of the life or death of our relationship in our tongues.
When we talk to our children to correct them and teach them… we hold the power of the life and death of our influence in our tongues.
When we speak to our spouses about our emotions and feelings… we hold the power of the life and death of our intimacy in our tongues.
When we speak to the world around us about the difference between our faith and theirs… we hold the power of the life and death of our testimony in our tongues.
When we choose to speak about Christ or choose to remain silent… we hold the power of the life and death of our witness in our tongues.
Over and over… all day long… every day, we hold the power of life and death in our tongues. And how we use that power will result in what fruit we see (or don’t see) in our life. We can’t treat our tongues with flippant ignorance and wonder why we are eating rotten fruit. We can’t speak things that are contrary to Jesus who IS life and wonder why our words are bringing death. We have to be aware, we have to be intentional, and we have to be centered on Christ alone.
Crystal Garnett
ACF Digital Discipleship Team Lead
End in Prayer
Lord,
I don’t want to forget that you have given me a powerful tool to be used for Your kingdom. I want to use my tongue to bring You glory and bring Your life into this world. Please show me where I am not embracing life with my tongue. Teach me what it looks like to have a tongue that is surrendered to You alone.
In the matchless name of Jesus Christ,
Amen