You have likely heard the saying, "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me." It does not take long living on planet Earth to discover that this saying is untrue. You see, words can hurt. That is why you still remember some of the devastating words that were spoken to you when you were just a child. Words can wound us greatly, and those wounds can last for a long time. Our words certainly have an impact, for better or for worse. Because the words we say have a profound impact, you and I must take seriously the words we speak each and every day.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us just how powerful our words are. The verse says, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” This verse cuts straight to the point. The tongue can bring death. When unkind, critical, and discouraging words are spoken, they tear a person down. You have experienced this in your own life. You have seen how discouraging words caused you to stop pursuing your passion or how unkind words spoken to you in middle school impacted the way you perceived yourself. You have also seen how your harsh words left someone feeling deflated and discouraged. Indeed, the tongue can bring death. Alternatively, the tongue can bring life. Positive words can cause someone to persevere, even when they feel discouraged. They can also leave someone feeling confident and empowered. No doubt you have experienced the tongue’s power to bring life when someone told you they believed in you or specifically named skills and abilities that God has given you. We must never underestimate the power of the tongue to speak life.
We have a choice today: Will we speak words that bring life, or will we speak words that bring death? I do not know about you, but I want to speak words of life that bring encouragement and joy to the people around me and remind them how much God loves them. Our words are powerful. Let’s use them today and every day to speak life-giving words in a world that is in great need of hope and life.
As you go throughout your day today, commit to speaking words that bring life. Before you speak, ask yourself if your words will be life-giving. If they will, indeed, bring life, say them. If they will not be life-giving, choose to refrain from what you planned to say. Let's be people committed to speaking life to everyone around us!
1Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
they lash out at common sense.
2 Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions.
3 Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
and scandalous behavior brings contempt.
4 Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
5 It is not right to acquit the guilty
or deny justice to the innocent.
6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
they are asking for a beating.
7 The mouths of fools are their ruin;
they trap themselves with their lips.
8 Rumors are dainty morsels
that sink deep into one’s heart.
9 A lazy person is as bad as
someone who destroys things.
10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.
11 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense;
they imagine it to be a high wall of safety.
12 Haughtiness goes before destruction;
humility precedes honor.
13 Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish.
14 The human spirit can endure a sick body,
but who can bear a crushed spirit?
15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.
Their ears are open for knowledge.
16 Giving a gift can open doors;
it gives access to important people!
17 The first to speak in court sounds right—
until the cross-examination begins.
18 Flipping a coin can end arguments;
it settles disputes between powerful opponents.
19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.
21 The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,
and he receives favor from the Lord.
23 The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
